St John’s Catholic Primary School in Rickmansworth has been fully rebuilt following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) within the original buildings. Delivered for the Department for Education in partnership with Tilbury Douglas, the project represents a significant milestone in the national School Rebuilding Programme.

As one of the first schools in the UK to reopen following a full RAAC-related rebuild, the scheme provides a safe, modern and future-focused learning environment for pupils, staff and the wider community.

A condition survey identified RAAC within the existing school structures, presenting a potential risk to long-term structural integrity and necessitating a full replacement of the building.

The discovery required the school community to relocate into temporary accommodation while a permanent solution was developed. Ensuring continuity of education, while delivering a high-quality new school on the same site, was central to the project’s brief.

The new St John’s Catholic Primary School has been designed as a two-storey, net zero carbon building that supports both educational excellence and pupil wellbeing.

The design delivers a series of flexible, high-quality teaching and learning spaces, including:

• Modern classrooms and specialist teaching areas
• Dedicated practical learning facilities
• A Wi-Fi-enabled outdoor classroom
• A Multi-Use Games Area and 3G sports pitch
• High-quality external play and learning environments

Sustainability is embedded throughout the scheme, with features such as natural ventilation, a bio-solar roof and photovoltaic canopies contributing to a low-carbon, future-ready school environment.