A second modular-built school by the now defunct modular building firm, Caledonian Modular, has been forced to close
Haygrove School in Bridgwater, Somerset, has been told they cannot reopen the school for the new year following safety concerns raised after a technical investigation.
The Sir Frederick Gibberd College in Harlow, Essex, also built by Caledonian Modular, was also forced to close after an investigation found structural safety concerns with the main building and sports hall.
‘Structural concerns’ left the DfE with no choice
The Department for Education (DfE), which is responsible for the school’s building, informed Haygrove School that the building would be closed on August 22.
The decision was made after structural concerns were raised over the main building, which was completed in October 2020.
Due to the closure, alternative options for all Haygrove School students will need to be found in time for September. The DfE has promised to deliver high-quality temporary accommodation on the school site as soon as possible.
Before they fell into administration, Caledonian Modular had been working on two other schools in the area. Both Launceston and Newquay primary schools were forced to be demolished before their completion due to safety concerns.
Caledonian Modular has worked on at least other 15 state schools in the UK.
“The department is working closely with school leaders and the relevant local authorities to make sure pupils and parents are informed, and appropriate temporary measures are put in place to accommodate pupils safely and protect their education,” said a spokesperson for the DfE.
No plan of action has been confirmed for Haygrove School
Both the school and the DfE have acknowledged that the changes will need to be put in place rapidly, and new infrastructure will need to be installed. However, neither has confirmed any adaptations.
“We remain extremely grateful for the support and patience of our students, colleagues and families and will continue to keep all parties updated when we can – we very much wish we could provide more information at this stage, but we simply do not have it yet, commented a spokesperson for Haygrove School.
“What we can say, however, is that though we need to navigate the current situation, we are very much looking forward to having an excellent school building which our community is proud of,” they concluded.
