A Norfolk school forced to hold assemblies in a marquee because its main building is made from crumbling concrete has received a funding boost to help it remove the defective building material.

Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary in Shipdham was forced to close its hall just hours before the start of the school year after urgent changes to government policy over reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac). 

The primary, near Shipdham, was the only school in Norfolk to be affected by the crisis, which has hit hundreds of sites nationwide.

But the issue has caused a host of complications for the school which had to make its assembly hall off-limits to children until repairs can be done.

This has led to the unusual measure of the school installing a temporary hall inside a marquee on its playing field where assemblies, indoor sports and mealtimes can be held.

Work has already got under way on removing the building material and rebuilding the roof.

However, the temporary marquee measure was installed in December after it emerged that the works were more complicated than first anticipated.

But now, school leaders have been boosted by a new funding grant from the government to help cover the costs of these works.

Meanwhile, across the border in Suffolk, Glade Academy in Brandon has been listed for a full rebuild as part of the Department for Education's response to the crisis.

Education secretary Gillian Keegan said: "Nothing is more important to me than the safety of every child and member of staff in school.

“We will continue to work closely with schools and colleges as we take the next step to permanently remove Raac from affected buildings.”

Eastern Daily Press: Shannon O'Sullivan, headteacher of Thomas Bullock CE Primary Academy. Picture: Danielle Booden

Speaking previously, headteacher Shannon O'Sullivan said: "Our pupils and staff are second to none in the way they have adapted, without complaint."