Re-opening 

Welcoming Our Community to the New St John’s Catholic Primary School

It is with immense pride and great joy that I write to you to mark a truly historic moment for our Trust and for the Rickmansworth community, the opening of the brand-new building for St John’s Catholic Primary School.

This is no ordinary school opening. St John’s is the first school in the country to be fully rebuilt following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). What began as a routine structural survey became a significant challenge but also an opportunity. Together, we have transformed that challenge into something extraordinary.

When RAAC was identified, the safety of pupils and staff was our absolute priority. Working closely with the Department for Education, our project partners Tilbury Douglas, school leaders, staff, families, and governors, we ensured education continued safely while plans for a permanent solution were developed.

During this period of uncertainty and disruption, the strength of our community truly shone through. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to our families for their unwavering support and trust, to our staff for their extraordinary dedication and professionalism in maintaining high standards of education under challenging circumstances, and to our pupils for their resilience and positivity. I am equally grateful to the wider local community for their patience, understanding, and encouragement throughout the rebuilding process. Your collective support made it possible for us to move forward with confidence and determination.

Lastly, I would also like to recognise the exceptional leadership of our Executive Headteacher, Patricia O'Donnell and the Chair of Governors, Chris Briggs, whose steadfast commitment, calm guidance and consistent focus on our pupils have been instrumental in leading the school community so successfully through this period of change.

Today, we celebrate not only a new building, but a new chapter.

The new school provides modern, high-quality learning environments designed to meet the very highest standards of safety, accessibility, and sustainability. Pupils now benefit from:

• A Wi-Fi enabled outdoor classroom

• A dedicated primary practical learning space

• A multi-use games area

• A full-size 3G sports pitch

• Inspiring classrooms designed for 21st-century learning

These facilities will enrich learning, nurture wellbeing, and support the academic and personal development of every child who walks through our doors for generations to come.

St John’s Catholic Primary School has continued to grow from strength to strength, even in the face of uncertainty. Because of the resilience, patience, and shared commitment of our whole community, we now look ahead with confidence and excitement.

Generations of children in Mill End and Rickmansworth will benefit from this wonderful new environment — a place where they will be nurtured, inspired, and supported to achieve their full potential.

We look forward to welcoming our community to a formal opening celebration in the coming weeks. Further details will be shared via the school website.

Thank you once again for your support, encouragement, and belief in St John’s. This achievement belongs to all of us.

With warmest regards,

Mr Stephen Wheatley

CEO

All Saints Catholic Academy Trust