Pupils face disruption at start of new school term due to probe into school buildings firm Caledonian Modular
An investigation is under way into schools built by the now collapsed firm Caledonian Modular. It also secured contracts from the Ministry of Justice and the NHS.
Wednesday 30 August 2023 14:57, UK
Hundreds of children are facing disruption to their new term after safety concerns were raised about their newly-opened school-buildings.
The Department for Education is launching an investigation into the projects, which were built by Caledonian Modular.
The company - which went into administration in 2022 - also won contracts to construct facilities for the health service, prison cells and housing.
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It specialised in modular structures, which can be partially built off-site before being put together in situ.
Assessments by the DfE earlier this year found issues with the structural integrity of the buildings at several schools, and their ability to handle scenarios like very high winds or significant snowfall.
Issues around poor workmanship were also raised. The issues are not related to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
The government is most concerned with the structural and fire safety of the buildings, and will investigate these areas further.
It is understood that the buildings were not built in accordance with their initial designs.
Three schools have had to either delay or make alternative arrangements for their pupils, with the start of the 2023/24 academic year just around the corner. Two further schools have been demolished before opening.
Buckton Fields Primary School, in Northamptonshire, has been told it cannot use its new school building, which was opened two years ago.
Similarly, Sir Frederick Gibberd College, Essex, and Haygrove School, Somerset, have been told their buildings are not suitable for students to use.
Newquay Primary Academy and Launceston Primary School - both in Cornwall - were stopped from opening and ordered to be demolished.
Parents have been told that their children will either be educated in temporary buildings or other schools while the government rectifies the situation. Some have also had their starting dates pushed back.
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The schools have made clear in public statements that the responsibility for the closures does not lie with them.
Sir Frederick Gibberd College said: "This situation is not of the trust or school's making. The trust has been acting on the advice of the DfE and its technical consultants throughout this process.
"The trust was not involved in the commissioning, designing, construction, or quality assurance of these buildings and the DFE are taking full responsibility for resolving the situation."
Haygrove school said earlier in August: "Since we first occupied the main building, we have been assured by the DfE that it was safe for our students and staff.
"However, it is with huge disappointment that we today informed our school community that the DfE has decided, following its surveys, that we are not able to use the main school building until further notice."
And Paul Watson, CEO of the trust which runs Buckton Fields, said "we were naturally shocked to be told by the Department for Education that we were unable to use the school building at Buckton Fields at the start of this coming new school year".
A Department for Education spokesperson said: "Nothing is more important than the health and safety of pupils and teachers, which is why we assess school buildings regularly to make sure they meet our high standards.
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"Following surveys conducted at our request, we have identified concerns with building work carried out by a specific contractor that is no longer in business.
"We are working closely with school leaders on temporary measures to safely accommodate pupils and minimise the disruption to their learning."
JRL Group, which bought Caledonian Modular out of administration, have been approached for comment.