Pupils are set to return to the asbestos-hit Cwmcarn High School two months later than initially thought.
Work to remove asbestos began in July this year with the aim of reopening the school by the start of the new school year in September.
On July 19, an asbestos removal worker was killed at the school. An inquest hearing last month heard how 26-year-old Jamie Paul from Abertillery may have been electrocuted.
As a result of the accident, work stopped at the site while safety checks were carried out.
Contractor Caswell Group restarted work on August 17 after electricity generators were installed at the site to provide a separate electricity supply to its workers.
According to a report, due to be discussed by councillors on Friday, further electrical work is needed at the school before it can reopen to pupils.
The earliest this can be is after the October half term on November 4.
in a joint statement, Cwmcarn High School and Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “We have a duty to provide continuous education for pupils, and as such, Cabinet will consider a recommendation for Cwmcarn High School pupils and staff to temporarily return to the Coleg Gwent Campus in Ebbw Vale while a programme of works continues at the school site.
“We understand that pupils, parents and teaching staff alike will be disappointed by this update, however we would like to assure all concerned that works are progressing as swiftly as possible at the school and that our commitment to ensuring that Cwmcarn High School are able to return home remains steadfast.
“We are working closely with the main contractor Caswell Group to help ensure that the timescales for this programme of work are kept to an absolute minimum – projections are that the works will be completed in time for students to return to the Cwmcarn High School site following October half term.”
Cwmcarn High School was closed on October 12 last year after a report by Santia Asbestos Management Ltd asked Caerphilly Council to consider whether school buildings should be demolished because of widespread airborne asbestos. Since then, the school’s pupils have relocated to the former Coleg Gwent campus in Ebbw Vale.
But a report published by the Health and Safety Executive laboratory (HSL) has said the original findings by Santia may have been overstated.
In April councillors agreed to spend £700,000 on asbestos removal and £300,000 on temporary classrooms.