ESSENTIAL work on a vandalism-hit school is set to commence over the summer holidays - after Barnsley Council invited building firms to express their interest in carrying out ’severe’ repairs.

Shawlands Primary, on Shaw Street, Barnsley, is set to benefit from the work with interested parties being invited to bid for the contract while May 23.

Vandalism over a prolonged period of time has been encountered at the school, which resulted in the police issuing an appeal for information to trace those responsible in last August.

According to the contract’s details, a classroom extension is also included in the £420,000 work.

A report added: “This school experienced severe vandalism to numerous roof lights during summer 2024.

“While insurance money would allow for like-for-like replacements, the areas of roof adjacent those roof lights have been prone to leaks.

“Other areas of roofing also suffer water ingress so discussions are underway with the school to determine how best to maximise use of the funds and this budget allowance to enhance the learning environment.”

The school will also receive £30,000 for security measures following the vandalism, which irked local councillors and headteacher Claire Athorn who collectively appealed alongside the police.

She added: “On the last week of that summer term we were unable to feed our children with a hot meal as they had damaged the extractor fan on the roof.

“It has had a significant impact on school and if we had been earlier in term time we would have had to close as the damage was so bad and the roof wasn’t safe.

“They ripped down the CCTV and used this to smash our windows.”

Shawlands’ work was prioritised due to its nature, the Chronicle understands, although Barnsley Council recently revealed a total of £1.6m will have to be found to fund ‘high priority’ work elsewhere.

A further £1.5m is needed for medium priority repairs within the next three years.

However, given the school estate is considered to be in better condition as a whole when compared with other areas of the country, it’s anticipated that the council will subsequently receive less cash from the government as a result.

Coun Steve Bullcock, who represents the Kingstone ward, told the Chronicle that the vandalism spate was ‘unacceptable’, but welcomed the contract’s arrival.

“It wasn’t fair to anyone associated with the school and we were shocked that there was such a lack of respect being shown by those responsible,” he said.

“Hopefully the work will commence quickly as it really is needed.

“The added money for better surveillance will also deter those who committed these acts from returning.”