Children at a Surrey secondary school will continue to have lessons while urgent fire safety work fixes dangerous cladding that puts people’s “life and property” at risk.

Cladding and curtain walls at Winston Churchill School in Hermitage Road, Woking. Do not prevent fires from spreading through the main building or science block, Surrey County Council (SCC) has said, and the danger poses “a serious risk”  if nothing is done. 

SCC’s cabinet approved capital funding and supply chain partners in a meeting on July 23 for repair works to commence in August. However, the replacement of the panels is not expected to be finished until next spring.

Cllr Tim Oliver OBE said: “There are no imminent concerns at all regarding fire safety and had there been we would have closed the school.

“This is a radio preventative or precautionary measure and it is quite right that we do that and those who say those works will start next month and I’m sure will be completed speedily.”

To ensure pupils and staff are safe the council has said “robust action” has already been taken. Including working with the lead fire officer and upgrading smoke and fire detection systems.

Cllr Natalie Bramhall, cabinet member for property, waste and infrastructure said: “Following a number of surveys a plan has been developed with Winston Churchill School for the upgrade of insulation and fireproofing at the school to bring these up to new industry standards. 

“In the interim, robust action has already been taken to mitigate any specific risk identified during these surveys, including  liaison with Surrey County Council’s fire officer and upgrading the school’s smoke and fire detection systems.

“Health and safety of students is of course the primary focus of both school staff and the council, and as in all schools there are risk assessments and mitigation measures in place  to ensure the safety of students and staff. 

“Surrey Fire and Rescue last visited the building on the 6th June and a fire matters safety letter was provided detailing their findings. No enforcement was required.

“Inspecting officer has further visited and advised that due to the high level of automatic fire detection and regular fire drills organised by school staff.

“Pupils would be able to exit the building within safe timescales and I understand work is due to start in August next month.”

Winston Churchill is a secondary school for pupils aged 11 to 16 with a capacity of 1,500 places.

The work is required to stop the potential spread of fire, especially in the higher risk areas where the science laboratories are located.

If the work is not carried out, and the fire officer issues an enforcement notice, the school would no longer be able to use the affected buildings and instead rely on temporary units. 

The council expects the work to be completed by March 2025. The school was contacted for comment.

To find out more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/School-fire-work