6 days ago
Falkirk area primary school will remain closed for at least a year after mortar found to be deficient
Councillors are being asked to agree to appoint a company to manage the project to make the massive repairs
A Falkirk area primary school in that has been closed since February is not expected to reopen until summer 2026, after mortar used in its construction was found to be "significantly deficient".
A gable wall at Maddiston Primary School - one of Falkirk Council' s newest and largest primaries - was visibily damaged by Storm Eowyn in January this year, but investigations to assess the extent of the damage revealed more widespread problems affecting the entire building.
According to a report going to members of Falkirk Council's executive, the mortar used in the construction was "significantly deficient, providing inadequate bonding to the surrounding stone".
As the scale of the defects became clear, the decision was taken in February to shut the building and decant around 500 pupils to three primary schools across the district.
A report going to Falkirk Council's executive on June 19 will ask councillors to approve a procurement strategy that officials say will allow them to move as quickly as possible to the next stage in the work to repair the school building.
According to the report, the cost is estimated be around £5 million and the work is likely to take at least a year.
The report explains that "investigations confirmed that the defects were present throughout the building to varying degrees."
Since the decant, the report says, substantial works have been undertaken to "expose sections of the external walls, remove defective materials, and allow further intrusive inspections of the building's structural elements.
Councillors will be told that intrusive investigations have also been undertaken internally to ensure that all construction defects and wider condition issues are identified while the building remains unoccupied.
The report states: "The works required are extensive and complex, involving the removal and replacement of substantial elements of the external fabric, internal structural supports, and remedial works to ensure the building meets current safety, compliance and educational standards."
Council officers are looking for councillors to approve work continuing with a company called HUB East Central (HUBco) which is providing strategic support services, including project management, architectural, and structural engineering input.
Local members are being asked to agree that the works should progress through HUBco - which has a track record of working with local authorities including Falkirk - with a partner contractor being appointed once the full scope of works has been confirmed.
The report says that this approach "is expected to allow mobilisation on site at the earliest opportunity".
A construction quality review and a separate root cause analysis are also now underway.
The report says these will inform "not only the repair works Maddiston Primary School but also any potential future actions and wider lessons for future capital investment across the school estate".
The project board overseeing the works includes senior officers from Education and Place Services and is supported by external specialists.
Falkirk Council's head of investment, assets and climate, Paul Kettrick, said: "This has been a complex and urgent response to significant construction issues that have been identified at the school.
'Our focus is on delivering the necessary remedial works safely and to the highest standard as quickly as possible.
"The proposed approach will allow us to proceed efficiently while ensuring that upon completion we are satisfied the building is free of defects and meets all structural and condition requirements."
The report will be discussed by Falkirk Council's executive on Thursday, June 19 in Grangemouth Community Education Unit, Abbots Road, Grangemouth, at 10 am. It will also be livestreamed on Falkirk Council's YouTube channel.
