The All Saints Catholic Academy Trust has announced the completion of the rebuilding of St John’s Catholic Primary School in Rickmansworth, the first school in the country to be fully rebuilt following the discovery of RAAC within the School Rebuilding Programme.
The project was delivered by Tilbury Douglas, appointed by the Department for Education (DfE) as client.
RAAC, a lightweight form of concrete used in some public buildings between the 1950s and 1990s, was identified at St John’s during a routine structural assessments carried out as part of a planned survey of the school building commissioned by the academy trust. Subsequent investigations concluded that a permanent solution was required, leading to the decision to fully rebuild the school, securing a 21st-century school building for generations of pupils in Rickmansworth and Mill End.
Following the identification of RAAC, the academy trust worked closely with the Department for Education, a range of contractors, school leaders, staff, pupils, and families to ensure education could continue safely while plans for a new building were developed and delivered. Temporary arrangements were put in place during this period, with the safety of students and in person education remaining the overriding priority throughout.
The newly completed school provides modern, high-quality learning environments designed to meet the highest standards of safety, accessibility, and sustainability. The facilities are designed to enrich pupils’ learning and wellbeing, supporting both academic achievement and wider development. These include a Wi-Fi-enabled outdoor classroom, a dedicated primary practical classroom, a multi-use games area, and a 3G sports pitch, offering outstanding opportunities for learning, play, and physical activity.
The academy trust, local academy council of St John's and school express their thanks to all who have supported the school community during the period and contributed to the delivery of this project. Appreciation is also extended to the Archdiocese of Westminster, local community, neighbouring schools, families, and partners for their continued support. The patience and encouragement shown during this time reflect the warm, welcoming, and vibrant school community that St John’s is proud to be — a place where children are nurtured, families feel connected, and the wider community plays an active role in school life.
To mark the completion of the project, the school will be holding a formal opening of their new building, and members of the local community will be invited to join pupils, staff, and partners in celebrating this important milestone. More information on the opening will be available via the school website.
Josh MacAlister MP, Minister for Children and Families, said: “It is fantastic to see pupils settling into their new, state-of-the-art school at St John’s Catholic Primary.
“For too long, children have been learning in classrooms that are falling apart. We are breaking that cycle so our children and young people can learn in classrooms that are fit for purpose and inclusive by design.
“This is all part of our 10-year plan for a decade of national renewal, backed by a further £1 billion into the education estate, to create high-quality buildings that meet their needs and help them thrive.”
Stephen Wheatley, CEO of All Saints Catholic Academy Trust, said: "The opening of the new St Johns’ School building is a very welcome and significant milestone in the life of the school and of our Trust. We are delighted that generations of families and children in the Mill End and Rickmansworth area will benefit from the fantastic facilities and new opportunities that the new building and enhanced school site will bring. We are rightly proud of this wonderful school, that has continue to grow from strength to strength over the past few years, despite the challenges posed by the discovery of RAAC. We know that St John’s Catholic Primary School has a very bright and successful future ahead of it!"
Patricia O’Donnell, Executive Headteacher of St John’s, said: "This has been a challenging period for our school community, and I am incredibly grateful to our parents for their continued support and encouragement, to my staffing team for their extraordinary efforts and hard work to ensure our pupils did not miss out, and to the children for their positive outlook on life, even in a temporary building and no playground space for so long. Moving into a brand-new school with amazing facilities and fantastic outdoor space marks the beginning of a positive new chapter for our pupils and staff. I am excited for the future of St John’s School, there are no limits to what can be achieved."
