A BRAND new school that cost £31million to build is set to be demolished in shocking “waste of taxpayers’ money”.
Matford Brook Academy in will be turned to rubble before a pupil steps foot in the after the building was deemed unsafe.
Matford Brook Academy, in Exeter, was built in 2021 and opened in 2023 Credit: SWNS
A new but unused school is due to be demolished because of structural issues Credit: SWNS
The Academy sits in the middle of a housing estate with construction first starting in 2021 – but progress ground to a halt halfway through the project because the initial contractor went bust.
The school opened in 2023 but pupils have been forced to take lessons in temporary classrooms as the building was found to be non-compliant with modern safety standards.
Issues with the building’s foundation gave builders cause for concern, with claims that the school is missing important structural bolts.
A review by Kier, a construction company, found Matford Brook Academy needs to be dismantled and redesigned in order to fix these problems – this means pupils will continue to be taught in temporary classrooms until 2028.
the school has never been used by pupils due to its structural problems Credit: SWNS
Critics have branded the project a waste of taxpayers money Credit: SWNS
Last week, the (DfE), which funded the school’s construction, sent a letter to confirm that the building needs to be destroyed and rebuilt following the safety concerns.
It said it was not possible to repair the school due to “fundamental issues” with its foundations and rebuilding it was deemed to be the “most practical way forward”.
The academy is part of the Ted Wragg Trust and so it is not directly overseen by Devon County Council.
The council said work is already under way to develop the next stages of the project and appoint an experienced contractor to deliver the rebuild.
Students are currently being taught in temporary accommodation Credit: SWNS
They will be stuck without a permanent site until 2028 Credit: SWNS
Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Alan Connett said he had “serious questions” after the Department for Education said it was not possible to repair the academy.
Other critics have blasted the “huge waste of taxpayers ” and neighbours of the school said they were shocked the build had been so badly botched.
Rhys Cadogon, 36, a clinical psychologist and local resident, said: “It’s ridiculous. The fact that they’ve spent so much money on this. It makes me think who’s in charge of the finances.
“It feels like cowboys running the show but I’m not even surprised.
“I am not really that bothered with the building work.
“It’s more just the fact that our taxes go on building that and then it’s going to be destroyed to then be built again.
“Constantly taxes and things are going up. And I guess is going up all the time, isn’t it?
“So like when you see money just literally being binned, it feels really frustrating. “
Fred Hinchcliff, 56, who works at , said: “It’s really wasteful. You’ve got a need for but they’ve built one and it’s being condemned.
“Taxpayers’ money wasted. Contracts obviously probably not handled properly, maybe not vetted for builders and at least double the cost to taxpayers.
“And then we’ve still got kids in temporary classrooms in not ideal conditions.
“What’s more annoying is that they’ve had to build it twice. Everybody’s happy with new developments.
“But to have done it once badly, then the cost of it, and then have to do it again just to prolong the process is very frustrating and a nuisance.”
Also among the critics was Sir Mel Stride, who is the shadow chancellor and whose Conservative party was in government when the school contract was awarded.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “While I welcome the fact staff, parents and pupils now have more clarity on the future of the school building, serious questions need to be answered about how a brand-new building could be deemed unfit before it has even been used.
“I will do everything I can to support the academy and ensure these issues are resolved as quickly as possible.”
The DfE said a contractor with a “strong track record” would be appointed for the rebuild.
Matford Brook Academy said the expansion of its temporary accommodation would be completed by September to provide additional purpose-built spaces.
They said: “Throughout this process, our priority has always been the wellbeing and education of our pupils, and that remains unchanged.
“A school is about far more than its buildings, it is the people who bring it to life every day.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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