Schools' minister Damian Hinds has agreed to meet with Durham City MP Mary Kelly Foy to discuss ways to help a secondary school badly affected by the RAAC crisis.

St Leonard’s Catholic School in Durham has been unable function properly since the new school year started in September and many pupils are now being educated at Ushaw College five miles away.

Temporary classrooms are being built on the school playing fields but Ms Foy has warned Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust, which runs the school, is facing financial uncertainty.

The Northern Echo: St Leonard's School in Durham St Leonard's School in Durham (Image: Northern Echo)She said it has spent around £500,000 but so far only been reimbursed £50,000 by the Government.

Mr Hinds, responding during the debate at Westminster Hall, assured her the Government is funding the provision of temporary classrooms and will meet ‘all reasonable associated costs’.

The East Hampshire MP, who was appointed Minister for Schools on November 13, having previously served in Ministry of Justice, said he was meeting Ms Foy next week.

He said: “I would like to reassure parents pupils and staff that the Government is doing whatever it takes to support schools and colleges and responding to RAAC to minimise disruption to education.

“I specifically want to thank the team and the staff at St Leonard's for their hard work in responding to RAAC.

“The Government has been and will continue to work closely with schools and colleges including St Leonards to support and mitigate affected spaces and minimise disruption to children's learning.”

The Northern Echo: Damian Hinds Damian Hinds (Image: Parliament TV)Ms Foy had called on Mr Hinds to come to Durham to speak to parents and pupils to come to Durham to ‘sort this mess out’ but he did not agree to the invitation directly.

Ms Foy highlighted how children were worried about the impact the disruption would have on exam grades, the mental health of pupils and parents and said certain subjects were not being adequately provided for.

The Northern Echo: Mary Kelly FoyMary Kelly Foy (Image: Parliament TV)She said: “So far, the Government has offered no dispensation for these pupils. Pupils who’ve had over eleven weeks of their education disrupted. And let’s not forget those studying DT, music, sciences, and specialist subjects. These disruptions are ongoing.

“There are no labs, no music rooms, and no workshops available. Instead, pupils are being taught in a noisy sports hall in classes up to 60. In addition, Ofqual have told me that they are - and I quote - ‘not in a position to agree to adaptations’.”

The Northern Echo: Kevan Jones Kevan Jones (Image: Parliament TV)North Durham Kevan Jones took part in the debate and expressed concern about the reduction in funding that could arise if pupil numbers fell at St Leonard’s as well as St Benet’s Primary School in Ouston, which is also badly affected by RAAC.

He reiterated Ms Foy’s concern about the lack of consideration from exam boards given the widespread problems the crisis has caused.

He said: “Many of the pupils travel from North Durham and I have had similar representations from their parents.

“Many of the teachers are doing great work but in spite of this they are seriously worried about the effects of this disruption on children's exam results.”

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The Northern Echo: Nick HurnNick Hurn (Image: Northern Echo)After the debate Nick Hurn, chief executive of Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust and Chris Hammill, headteacher of St Leonard’s, issued a statement.

They said: “We cannot stress enough how incredibly difficult the start of this academic year has been for St Leonard’s Catholic School, Durham and Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust, including all teachers, students, and their wider families. 

“We fully understand and recognise how challenging the situation is, and indeed we feel it every day. 

“We are incredibly grateful for the support Mary Foy MP and other local MPs have given the school and the trust and we will continue to work closely with them.

“We know that the current situation remains very difficult for our staff, students and families and we want to reassure you that we remain resolute in our commitment to you.”