Fixing perilous state of schools a priority

Why Labour will make fixing perilous state of schools a priority

Labour shadow schools minister Stephen Morgan MP explains why the Conservatives’ track record on managing school estates shows it’s time for a change of government

Last week, Labour brought forward a parliamentary motion that gave Conservative MPs a choice.

They could choose to be transparent with parents and school staff about which school buildings are at risk of collapse or they could choose to side with a government that wants to keep parents and teachers in the dark.

They chose the latter.

Time drags on

It’s now been two years since the Condition of School Buildings Survey revealed “alarming” problems within the school estate.

It’s been one year since a leaked government report revealed that school buildings in England are now in such disrepair that they posed a “risk to life”.

And it’s been six months since the Department for Education raised the risk of school buildings collapsing from “critical” to “critical – very likely” in its annual report.

Yet, despite these repeated warnings, there is no urgency from the government to fix the problem or allay the concerns of parents.

This has not been for the want of trying from Labour. We have repeatedly asked the government to identify which buildings are worst affected.

In December, schools minister Nick Gibb said he would publish the data on these dangerous buildings by the end of the year.

In January, he said the data will be “published shortly”.

In February we heard nothing. In March we heard nothing. And in April, you may have guessed, we heard nothing.

We’re now in June, and parents, staff and pupils still don’t know if it’s their school that is potentially “very likely” to collapse.

Warning signs and near misses

During last week’s debate, the schools minister again stated that the data would be published “as soon as possible”, and promised to disclose it before MPs break for summer.

However, given the government’s track record on this, I think we could be forgiven for saying that we will believe the data will be published when we see it.

It is no wonder why our nation’s school buildings are in their current state.

For 13 years, we have seen too many cut-price sticking plaster solutions and inefficient repairs when green rebuilds and a long-term plan were required.

From visiting schools across the country, I’ve seen the impact of this first-hand.

Far too many children are still attending schools in ageing buildings, with unmet repairs, cracked walls, asbestos and crumbling roofs. We know this has major knock-on effects on children’s learning and behaviour.

I’ve heard from teachers and school leaders of a number of near misses, and too often we have seen stories of injuries to adults, caused by faulty school buildings, that would have been much more tragic had a child been standing in the same place.

Time to transform schools again

The last Labour government transformed our country’s school estate.

Widespread modern rebuilds led to improvements in standards and behaviour, and made school a safer place for children to learn.

In 2016, Michael Gove himself admitted that he regretted scrapping the Building Schools for the Future programme, which caused over 700 school building projects to be cancelled.

It seems the lessons learned by the levelling-up secretary still haven’t been passed on to his colleagues.

You would think the least the government would do is be honest with teachers and parents about the real state of their school buildings.

Unfortunately, whether it’s on lockdown parties, speeding tickets or school buildings, we have been shown that this is a government incapable of transparency.

That is why we will keep pushing ministers to stick to their latest promise to publish the data by summer. Given their track record to date, I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Across the country, families deserve transparency on this. Wherever they live, they also deserve the opportunity to send their child to an excellent local school.

This will only be done by investing in brilliant state education for all and by recruiting thousands of new teachers – commitments a Labour government would follow through on.

While Conservative MPs last week sided with a government that has been complacent on education and kept parents in the dark on school buildings, I know which side a Labour government would choose. We’ll be on the side of parents, school staff and children.

Stephen Morgan MP is the Labour shadow schools minister

Source: TES

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£12m Engineering Training Centre development at Middlesbrough College

Applebridge Construction appointed to £12m Engineering Training Centre development at Middlesbrough College

Applebridge Construction has been appointed by Morgan Sindall Construction to carry out foundation works at Middlesbrough College’s new state-of-the-art engineering facility.

The multi-million-pound engineering centre will act as a replacement and relocation of the College’s current TTE site and could transform Teesside’s net zero aims.

Being developed on the College’s Middlehaven campus, the new facility, which is due to open in September 2024, will train over 300 full-time students, 300 apprentices and 500 adults each year, alongside a thriving international cohort of students.

Applebridge will support on creating the foundations, floor slabs, drainage and attenuation, as well as first floor slabs and external works.

Group Operations Director Andy Ray said:

“Middlesbrough College Group is the largest engineering training provider for school leavers in the country and it is an exciting project for Applebridge to get involved in on several fronts.

“Not only is it the start of a new working relationship with Morgan Sindall Construction, but it’s once again an opportunity to help the educational infrastructure of our region. The engineering and trades industry has been dealing with a skills shortage through recent years and this investment in Teesside will bring about new opportunities and encourage the next generation of North East engineers.”

Alex Isted, area director from Morgan Sindall Construction, said:

“We’re delighted to have appointed Applebridge Construction to be part of the team that will deliver this exciting new training centre for Middlesborough College.

“The training that will be delivered at this facility when complete will help create a skilled workforce for the sectors that will be instrumental in net-zero targets being reached.”

College Principal Zoe Lewis has stated an ambition for the facility to support the expansion of renewable energy in the region, with no fewer than 36,000 jobs in offshore wind expected to be created in the next 12 years.

Zoe Lewis said:

“Once complete, the facility will complement the already extensive STEM offer at our campus in Middlehaven and cement the college as one of the UK’s largest Engineering training providers in the country with state of the art, ‘real scale’ industrial equipment and industrial specialist staff, which will support the region’s existing and emerging businesses.

“We’re particularly pleased that the new site will also allow us to expand into new sectors such as clean, green and renewable energy, retrofit, zero carbon and offshore high voltage, securing technical skills that are in demand and valued by local employers and giving young people greater access to the careers which will shape all our futures.”

 

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Zoo Hardware sets the standard for compliance with new bathroom lock range

Zoo Hardware has introduced a new bathroom lock accessory in response to the Department for Education’s Technical Annex 2D: Internal Elements and Finishes Part 5.2.2.

The Hex release options of bathroom turns have been introduced to meet the requirements of the document in relation to bathroom locks being used in schools that need to be locked from the inside by turn or lever, and released from the outside by a hexagon or star profile key, therefore excluding more traditional designs such as coin slot or square drive type releases.

Available in standard or accessible thumb turn configurations, the Hex bathroom turn and release are manufactured from grade 304 Stainless Steel and are supplied on an 8mm rose base with the rose cover options of screw-on or push-on.

As part of this range, Zoo Hardware has also introduced a separate dedicated Hex release key, which by design also offers a 5mm square drive that can be used in extreme emergency where the external release parts could be removed from the door and the key can be used to drive a 5mm Follower to allow retraction of the bathroom deadbolt.

Jason Tonks Reg AI, Technical Product Manager at Zoo Hardware, said:

“Following the last update of Technical Annex 2D by the Department for Education, we have introduced our new thumb turn and hex release to continue supporting our customers in achieving the highest standards of compliance for all sectors.

“As a UK market leading supplier of architectural ironmongery, we are committed to the continuous development of products that not only meet legislative and standard based updates but also meet our customers’ expectations with regards to performance, quality and aesthetics at a competitive price and our new bathroom turn and hex release is another example of that.”

The range includes:

The ZCS004iSS–HEX Standard Turn-Push on rose, ZCS006iSS-HEX Accessible Turn-Push on rose, ZPS004-iSS-HEX Standard Turn-Screw on Rose, ZPS006iSS-HEX Accessible Turn-Screw On Rose, ZPS007iSS-HEX Mini RTD Lever on Screw On Rose and ZCS000-HEX-KEY Accessory.

CLICK HERE

for more information on Zoo Hardware and its portfolio of architectural door hardware

or call 01228 672900

 

 

 

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School reopens after £3.5m extension

Gourock Primary official opening. Pictured is head teacher Christine Murray, back left,

with Councillor Francesca Brennan, Inverclyde Council’s vice-convener of education, with pupils.

PUPILS in Gourock celebrated the official opening of their new-look school following a £3.5 million extension.

Gourock Primary has been expanded with the addition of a new dining and activity hall, relocated and upgraded kitchen, extra offices, storage space and a striking new entrance and foyer.

It is the last major piece of the puzzle in Inverclyde Council’s unprecedented £270m schools’ estate revamp, which has seen every building either renewed or modernised, as well the creation of new and extended early learning centres and additional nursery classes.

On hand to officially open the Gourock Primary extension was Councillor Francesca Brennan, Inverclyde Council’s vice-convener of education and a former teacher at the school.

Cllr Brennan said:

“When I retrained as a teacher, the first school I came to was Gourock Primary and I felt so welcomed so this is an extra-special moment for me to be given the honour of officially opening the extension.

“Schools are of course more than buildings and there is a wonderful team here supporting the children and young people to reach their full potential.

“Buildings are really important though and today not only marks this great occasion for Gourock Primary, but it is also a milestone moment for the council and the people of Inverclyde.

“That’s because this is the final piece of the puzzle in the journey to renew or refurbish our schools as part of the council’s unprecedented £270m of investment in our education estate.

“While Gourock Primary has had to wait a lot longer than any of us could have envisaged, I’m sure the pupils, staff, parents and wider community will agree that it’s been well worth the wait.”

Gourock Primary was established in 1908 in nearby Binnie Street and remained there until 1999 when it moved to a new building in its current Davidson Drive location.

Head teacher Christine Murray said:

“No matter the shape and size, it is a fantastic school and I’ve taken it to my heart.

“It’s a fabulous extension and it’s made such a difference, adding a different dimension to what we can offer our pupils.

“A school is more than bricks and mortar and it’s the people within who make the difference. We are a real, supportive family here and I’m so lucky to have such a fab team to work with as well as having amazing pupils.

“Parents have also been so supportive and trusting. Everyone associated with Gourock Primary really does go above and beyond all for the sake of our children.”

Guests at the official opening were treated to some musical performances from pupils, including songs in French, recital of work by Robert Burns, a virtual tour, and guided tours led by the young people.

The extension was completed by main contractors WH Kirkwood and also involved in the project were architects Keppie Design, engineers Rybka and Will Rudd, and surveyors and project management company MGAC.

 

Source: Inverclyde Council

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BODMIN COUNCILLOUR CELEBRATES PLANNING APPROVAL

A visualisation of the plans for Bosvena SEN School (Cornwall Council )

THE APPROVAL of a planning application for a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities School (SEND) school on the outskirts of Bodmin has been celebrated by the local Cornwall Councillor for the area.

Cllr Leigh Frost, Cornwall Council member for Bodmin St Petrocs announced that the school, set to be known as Bosvena SEND School will be constructed on land at Turfdown Road on the outskirts of Bodmin and is set to provide specialist educational facilities for children with additional educational needs.

The planning application was for: the “Construction of a two-storey Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) school (use class F), provision of hard and soft landscaping, a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), sports facilities, new means of access and car parking, under planning application PA22/09909.”

It is set to cater for 65 pupils aged between four and 16 years old and will employ approximately 30 members of staff.

In a statement, Cllr Frost said:

“I spent this morning at the East Planning Committee to speak in support of a new school for special educational needs and disabilities to be built in Bodmin.

The school will provide 65 places to the highest-priority SEND children in Cornwall. There is currently no public facility of this nature in Cornwall, so it is very welcome that the committee unanimously supported the proposals. I have supported this scheme from the very beginning, when the then Lib Dem administration invested £2 million to ensure Cornwall got this much-needed school, with the rest of the funding coming from the Department for Education.

“Now planning has been approved. I am looking forward to seeing the building developed.”

Bodmin Town Council had also supported the application after initially objecting, but after receiving new information the Chair of its planning committee proposed to rescind the original motion to not support the application, a proposal which was carried by a majority verdict with an objection sustained by Cllr Jeremy Cooper.

Neighbouring Cardinham Parish Council raised objections stating that the facility would add to the current congestion and parking on the highway associated with the crematorium opposite, leading to an “unacceptable highway safety condition.”

In a report for Cornwall Council’s planning committee prior to the meeting which confirmed the awarding of planning permission, Cornwall Council’s planning team had suggested a number of conditions including a scheme of works to deliver multi-modal site access onto Turfdown Road with a continuous pedestrian and cycle provision, the development of a travel plan, presenting of a landscape and ecology plan, a biodiversity plan, plans for surface water drainage being approved by Cornwall Council’s planners and a number of other conditions related to amendments to the plans.

Source: Cornish Times

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Plan Re-think for Student Housing

The University of St Andrews is pushing to build a major 710-bed student housing development at its Albany Park campus.

Hadfield Cakwell Davidson has been brought on board to replace 1970s accommodation at East Sands, demolished in 2020, with a purpose-built block delivered in partnership with Campus Living Villages.

Supplanting pre-pandemic plans, now considered unfeasible, the resubmission takes account of inflation in the cost of building materials to increase the planned number of beds from 672.

Derek Watson, chief operating officer, quaestor and factor, for the university said:

“The development at Albany Park is key to the University’s strategy to provide more accommodation for our students and ease the pressure on housing stock in St Andrews. Despite recent volatility in the markets, particularly the construction industry, we have remained committed and optimistic this plan can become a reality.

“If approved, the new Albany Park will provide more than 700 high-quality student beds in an attractive landscaped environment which will improve amenity in the east of the town.

“The development has the potential to revitalise the eastern area of St Andrews and we are looking forward to putting our proposals to the local community and hearing their views.”

A public consultation on the latest plans will take place at the Byre Theatre on 7 and 28 June.

 

Source: Urban Realm

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£13m Primary School Gets Underway

Councillor Ted Henderson cuts the turf ahead of the construction of the new Springmoor Grange School in Spennymoor, joined Chris Hale from Esh Construction, Ox Close Federation’s deputy executive headteacher Anna Bowden (right) and chair of governors, (Image: Durham County Council)

Construction work on a £13 million primary school and nursery in Spennymoor is set to get underway.

The new Springmoor Grange School, which is to be located on the Durham Road site of the former Tudhoe Grange Comprehensive School, will replace the existing Ox Close Primary and Oxclose Nursery Schools.

It will accommodate 630 primary school pupils alongside a 52-place nursery unit for children aged two and older.

The project is being designed and funded by Durham County Council and will ensure school provision in Spennymoor keeps pace with the growing demand for school and nursery provisions.

In recent years, the current schools have become oversubscribed and have had to turn away applications.

The two schools already work closely together after forming the Ox Close Federation in November 2018.

Anna Bowden, the federation’s deputy executive headteacher, said:

“The children and staff are very excited that the build of Springmoor Grange is set to start. We have worked very closely with Durham County Council to ensure that the new build is the best it can possibly be for the children of Spennymoor not only now, but for many years to come.

“The new school will enhance our current provision whilst also maintaining our already high standards, strong community ethos and wraparound care.”

Pam Sneath, the federation’s chair of governors, added:

“Both Oxclose Nursery and Ox Close Primary have been very popular choices within the town and we are very proud of the excellent starts in life that we have provided for so many young children.

“However, most years we have been oversubscribed and sadly had to turn away applications. We are delighted that Springmoor Grange School, on the new site, will mean that more children will be able to come to us and benefit from the fantastic facilities and embedded nurturing culture allowing them to prosper from two to 11 years.”

The new Springmoor Grange School is being built by County Durham-based Esh Construction, with preparatory works now underway ahead of construction.

Chris Hale, pre-construction director at Esh Construction, said:

“As a local contractor, we are delighted to be working in partnership with Durham County Council on another new school project which will provide a modern and inspirational place to learn.

“We are committed to creating a legacy through the scheme and will endeavour to maximise the social and economic value for the local community by employing a local workforce, procuring a local supply chain and engaging within the local community.”

Councillor Ted Henderson, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said:

“We’re delighted to be investing in this new school for Spennymoor.

“This is an investment in giving children the best start in life and providing modern and inspirational facilities fit for 21st-century education.

“It’s a much-needed investment too, as the existing buildings are in poor condition and aren’t big enough to accommodate the growth in demand for places in the area.

Source: The Northern Echo

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New 10,000 sqm school in Northern Ireland

Construction commences at new 10,000 sq m school in Northern Ireland

 

May 2023 – Construction work has started at New-Bridge Integrated College in Loughbrickland, Northern Ireland, where a new school building and sports hall will be erected on the site of the existing school and adjacent land, covering 10,000 sq m to accommodate 620 students.

 

The new school, for which HLM completed Stage 4 design, will be built by Ganson UK and replace the current accommodation of two main buildings and several modular structures. The modern three-section design features two wings of teaching spaces connected by a central block housing the entrance, library, and dining facilities. The construction of a sports hall, sports pitch, synthetic pitch, and tennis courts is also planned, along with media studies rehearsal and recording spaces. Furthermore, a car parking area, school bus drop-off point, and a new entrance onto Donard View Road have been incorporated into the design to improve accessibility.

 

Emma-Louise Hannigan, Associate at HLM Architects, said: “New-Bridge Integrated College has been designed to provide an exceptional learning environment that meets the diverse needs of students, both academically and through extracurricular activities. Despite the challenges posed by the site and the project’s phasing, we are excited to see construction work underway on the new school development, which will equip staff and pupils with the necessary resources to teach and thrive academically.”

 

The project was designed to RIBA Stage 3 by AECOM and is already on track to achieve a BREEAM excellent rating. Completion is expected June 2025.

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6 year wait – but results are amazing

Teachers and staff welcomed pupils to their first morning in their new school as Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng opened its doors.

Following a six year wait during the planning and development stage as well as an 18-month long construction process, the Welshpool primary school finally welcomed students to their new school building on May 2.

The 150-place Welsh medium primary school is now open to students after a large scale project that involved refurbishing and redeveloping the historic Ysgol Maesydre building, a Grade 2 listed property, to accommodate early years and community facilities linking it with the new extension.

At the new school’s first morning assembly, Headteacher Angharad Davies said:

 

“This new building represents us and has helped create our vision for what this school can be.

“I’ve spoken to so many people who have said that Ysgol Maesydre brings back memories for them, and with a new school at this location it allows our pupils to be a part of that shared history in that old building.

“I can’t believe how lucky I am to be head of this wonderful school, where we celebrate that nobody is perfect, and everyone is different.”

 

Lindsey Phillips, Chair of Governors for the school, added:

 

“It’s quite hard to believe we are here now, in a building that will enhance an already amazing school at the cutting edge of the education establishment.

“It’s been worth all the struggle over the past seven years to be able stand in front of everyone today and say enjoy the new school.”

 

The project was first announced in 2017, backed by the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.

Construction began in November 2021 when Wynne Construction were appointed to the role by Powys County Council and was completed in April 2023.

Commenting on their new school, pupils Millie Owen and Gwen Phillips said their favourite parts of the new building were the bigger classrooms.

They said:

 

“It’s amazing, and it’s taken a lot of work with lots of trips down to move every little piece.

“The teachers moved boxes down and we got to decide where they went within the classrooms, which makes it feel like how the school was put together.

“It’s so much bigger than the only thing we’re worried about is getting lost.”

Source: Country Times

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School Forced to Close

Mayflower Primary School will close temporarily from Monday, April 24. (Image: Google)

A primary school in Leicester has been forced to close due to a concern over the structure of the building. Mayflower Primary School, in Evington, will close from Monday, April 24.

Parents were told of the closure in a letter from head teacher Luke Whitney, dated Thursday, April 20. A recent survey of the building brought to light the concern, and the school was subsequently advised to close the building so further surveys could be undertaken, he said.

Mr Whitney added that the school, which is maintained by Leicester City Council, is working with the authority and the Department for Education to continue its pupils’ education. It means children might have to return to remote learning if classrooms cannot be found at other sites, he said. The closure could also impact SATs tests in May for Years 2 and 6, he added.

Mr Whitney wrote:

“It is with great sadness that I need to write to you about a conversation that took place this morning with the Department for Education (DfE). A recent survey of the school building has resulted in the identification of a potential structural concern.

“Professional advice has recommended that for health and safety reasons, the building must close from Monday 24th April 2023 to all pupils and staff whilst more intrusive and extensive surveys are undertaken. This cannot be done safely whilst the school is operational. Currently, I am unclear about when we will be able to reopen, but we are exploring, at pace, options that allow pupils to return to face-to-face education at the earliest opportunity. Before I outline our early management plan, it is very important that I apologise to you for the huge impact this is going to have. As a community, we have faced adversity before, and I know that we will be able to rise up to the many new challenges ahead.

“A school closure, even on a temporary basis, creates many difficulties, but the most important matter is the safety of children alongside the continuation of education. In partnership with the local authority and DfE, we are looking at all available options, and hope to have some firm news soon. In the first instance, it is likely that remote education will be available, but if buildings can be found for our children, even if they are spread across a number of different sites, this is preferable.

“At Mayflower, we also know that some of our children are vulnerable, or have additional needs, which makes daily attendance at school so critical. I have already had contact with two local facilities who may be able to help, and if we can arrange this, we will write to these families as soon as we can. When other spaces become available, we will be in touch, and my hope is that classes or even year groups can be taught together. Please be assured we are working very hard to make sure our children can continue to receive high-quality education alongside their teachers and peers.

“Despite the school building being closed, there remain many things that we can do together, and part of our curriculum provision will be a strong focus on bringing the children together regularly. Good examples of this are Forest Schools in Year 5, swimming in Year 4, the Reception visit next Friday, Wellies and Worms in Year 1, all of our sporting commitments, and other exciting activities that your children will be able to attend. We share your view that social isolation is the biggest challenge our children will face, and timetabled weekly activities such as these will really help.

“Finally, we need to consider the SATS in Years 2 and 6. Given the impossible position the school has been placed in, we understand how outcomes could be affected. This letter is not the correct forum for a detailed discussion about this, but I will write again to parents in both year groups to outline what will be done. Please do not worry and look out for my reassuring letter tomorrow.

“All that now remains is for me to apologise once again for what has happened but if COVID-19 has taught me one thing, it is that in times of crisis, strong communities come together, we support each other, and collectively look forward to a much brighter future ahead.”

A city council spokesman said:

“The DfE notified the council and Mayflower Primary School of the findings of a planned survey yesterday. The survey indicated structural concerns and it was agreed that the school should close as a precautionary measure to enable further investigations and remedial work to be carried out.

“The headteacher and staff are working very hard to put plans in place for remote learning in the short-term, and we will be supporting him with this and in looking for a longer-term solution that enables face-to-face learning. We are working to ensure that vulnerable children who need to be in school have a classroom provided in another location as a priority.

“We understand the difficulties this will cause for families, many of whom are today celebrating Eid, but we know the school community will pull together to make this work under the leadership of their headteacher and with our full support.”

 

LeicestershireLive asked the city council for further information on the nature of the structural concerns and is awaiting a response.

 

Source: LeicestshireLive

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