Three schools built by collapsed modular builder Caledonian Modular are to be demolished and rebuilt over safety fears.
In August, Sir Frederick Gibberd College in Essex, Haygrove School in Somerset and Buckton Fields Primary School in Northamptonshire were said to be unable to open their main buildings for the new school year. The announcement came after surveys carried out over Easter identified concerns with construction work carried out by Caledonian Modular.
At the time, a DfE spokesman said the buildings had not been built to their design and there were structural and fire safety issues.
This week, the Department for Education (DfE) announced that it will fund the rebuilding of all affected school buildings, which are less than five years old.
Diana Barran, Minister for School Systems, said: “The new buildings will be net zero designed to help reduce costs and minimize energy use, and will have great indoor and outdoor facilities.
“We have continued to prioritize face-to-face learning during this time and, to help schools through this transition phase, we are offering each school high-quality, long-term temporary accommodation.”
Supplier Losberger de Boer has provided temporary classrooms for Sir Frederick Gibberd College and Haygrove School. Portakabin is building medium-term temporary accommodation at Buckton Fields Primary School, which will be delivered in February 2024.
Earlier this year, two Caledonian Modular schools in Cornwall, Newquay Primary Academy and Launceston Primary School, were demolished before construction was completed, according to the DfE.
The £45.3m turnover offsite specialist collapsed in March 2022, after losing more than £20m in 18 months. Construction news the company was previously revealed to be the 11thth the DfE’s largest contractor in 2021/22. It was appointed to the department’s £3 billion modular framework in January 2020.
The DfE is reviewing its contracts to identify projects involving Caledonian Modular and seeking legal advice to recover costs where the contractor was involved.
An email shared with parents and staff at Haygrove School on Friday (December 1) said: “We are currently in dialogue with the DfE about details such as timings and location of the new buildings and will update this as soon as let’s have more information.confirmed information.
“What is clear now is that the existing main building will not be used again in the future and that the whole school, rather than just this block, will receive significant investment from the DfE, which we are very grateful for . “
