A new “state-of-the-art” school built for more than 1,450 children but never used is to be demolished because of structural issues.
Matford Brook Academy, in Exeter, was set to be opened for classes three years ago, but delays have forced the leaders to set up a “village” of temporary classrooms next to the school site.
Now, parents have been told by the school that a review has found the permanent building “does not meet the required building standards in its current form” and will need to be rebuilt.
The decision was made by the Department for Education, which brought in construction firm Kier Group to investigate after the collapse of primary contractor ISG in 2024. A new contractor will now be appointed to deliver the rebuild.
The school building was valued at £30.6m by construction sales firm Glenigan, according to Construction News.
In the letter to parents, Tim Rutherford, deputy chief executive of Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust, which runs the school, and Emily Simpson-Horne, headteacher of the school, said: “Although this is not the news we had hoped for, and we understand that you may be disappointed, it does provide a clear way forward for our community.
“Whilst there is still much detail to understand, we’re pleased to now have a path forward towards our next chapter, and which results in the best school possible.”
In the meantime, the school is expanding its collection of temporary buildings to meet the growing number of pupils from September. It has been reported that pupils will remain in the temporary buildings until at least 2028.
Bird’s-eye images of the school, which sits within a new housing estate, show the permanent building blocks surrounded by walls, with the temporary site next to it.
The new school was described as “state-of-the-art” in a press release issued by the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust ahead of construction, with facilities including a theatre, two recreational halls and a dedicated dining hall.
Lib Dem councillor Alan Connett, whose ward the school is located in, said: “How on earth a brand new, never-used school is being demolished begs many questions about the management and oversight of that contract, in my view.”
Sir Mel Stride, who is the shadow chancellor and was in government when the school contract was awarded, 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.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “The safety of children is our top priority, which is why we are rebuilding Matford Brook school.
“Pupils are currently being taught in temporary accommodation, and we are working closely with the school to ensure there is no disruption to pupils’ day-to-day education.”
A spokesperson for Matford Brook Academy said: “Following a detailed programme of investigative work commissioned by the DfE, the department has confirmed that the partially completed permanent school building does not meet the required building standards and cannot be completed in its current form.
“The DfE has therefore taken the decision to replace the building with a new one. While this is not the news our community had hoped for, it does provide a clear way forward. Work is already underway to develop the next stages of the project and appoint an experienced contractor to deliver the rebuild.
“Our pupils will continue to learn in a high-quality environment while these plans progress. The expansion of our temporary accommodation will be completed in time for September 2026, providing additional purpose-built spaces to support our growing school and enabling us to continue to welcome new students as planned.
“Throughout this process, our priority has always been the wellbeing and education of our pupils, and that remains unchanged. We will continue to work closely with the Department for Education, keep our families informed as plans develop, and ensure our community’s voice continues to be heard.
“We are incredibly grateful for the patience and support shown by our pupils, families and staff. A school is about far more than its buildings; it is the people who bring it to life every day. The warmth, ambitious vision and sense of belonging created by our pupils, staff and families are what make Matford Brook Academy such a special place. Our core mantra is that ‘we write our story’ and our whole school community will continue to do just that.”
