Parents have voiced their anger over "poor facilities" at a Nottingham school after pupils kept being sent home when it is cold.
Lady Bay Primary School on Trent Boulevard has reportedly closed on a few occasions due to a broken boiler and this has promoted concern among parents.
They are worried that their children "have already missed school enough" during lockdown, and have called for action to fix the problem.
Jo Mearce, a 43-year-old mum of two in Lady Bay, said: "I think the school had to close three times now because of the problems with the boiler.
"It is just very difficult because I am self-employed, and I could not work when my children were at home, so I lost money because of that."
She added: "It is such a shame because the staff are absolutely brilliant, and they have been great with my daughter who has autism.
"They have missed enough school because of Covid, they need to be in school.
"It is the building itself that needs maintenance because it is in poor condition."
May have echoed her concerns, saying that the Grade II listed building is old and needs refurbishment.
There are plans to build a new school in the area on council-owned land at Regatta Way. Feasibility work is likely to be completed by late summer 2022, the local authority has confirmed.
If the location proves suitable it is hoped that new schools could be provided by September 2025.
However, Labour councillor Penny Growland insists that the current school needs attention sooner rather than later.
She said: "The fact that there will be another school should not be an excuse for not maintaining the current school.
"I know that the parents have raised concerns about this.
"The new school will take a few years to be built - and these children need better conditions now."
She has also addressed the concerns around the boiler at the school, which has been "a problem for years" according to some parents.
Paul Rose, an antique dealer whose son finished school at Lady Bay last year, said: "I remember that as soon as it got a bit colder it was a problem and the children would get sent home.
"It happened three times every year I would say."
The 58-year-old added: "It needs to get sorted definitely, but it is not something new - it has always been a problem."
Katie Naughton-Cross, a mum of two who is looking to send her daughter to school in September, added: "It is such a shame because it is such a beautiful building - I think it should be kept as part of the school even when the new one will be built."
The 38-year-old teacher in the area added: "It would be amazing if this school would be properly maintained because it is a historic building.
"The local authority should spend more money and time looking after this school."
Councillor Tracey Taylor, chairman of the county council’s Children and Young People’s Committee, said that the council has acted swiftly to remedy the boiler issue and has commissioned ARC Property Management Services Ltd to investigate further.
Councillor Taylor said: “We are aware of issues at Lady Bay School and are working closely with the school to alleviate any ongoing problems. We have carried out a number of infrastructure and refurbishment projects at the school over the last few years and are currently awaiting recommendations as to further work or improvements.
“My main focus is that all pupils at schools in Nottinghamshire are in classrooms that provide an excellent learning environment and I will be asking for regular updates regarding Lady Bay School.”
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