Latest news with #MaddistonPrimarySchool
STV News
2 days ago
- General
- STV News
Primary school to partly reopen after building issues uncovered by Storm Eowyn
Parts of Maddiston Primary School campus will be back in use for the new term although the main building will not reopen until August 2026. The school closed in February after damage caused by Storm Eowyn revealed significant construction problems throughout the 17-year-old building, caused by mortar that was 'significantly deficient.' 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. Falkirk Council's director of education, Jon Reid, wrote to all parents and carers this week to tell them the arrangements for the school year starting in August. He said the school will be able to use the new extension and existing modular units, which have been unaffected by the construction defects found throughout the main school. In his letter, Reid confirmed that the school would not reopen until at least August 2026. He said: 'This is clearly disappointing news, but it is essential that the building meets all necessary building standards before staff and pupils return.' The letter also confirms that Maddiston Community Centre will be used for PE and lunch arrangements. The extension will accommodate three Primary 1 classes and two Primary 2 classes, while one P2/3 class and two Primary 3 classes will be in the Modular Units. Primaries 4 and 5 will go to Wallacestone Primary, and Primary 6 and 7 will be in Bantaskin Primary. The Timezone and Inclusion class pupils will continue to attend Moray Primary and Carrongrange High School. Reid said the arrangements 'allow us to make the best use of available facilities across our school estate, scale back the transport arrangements in place and ensure a stable and high-quality experience for all pupils and staff while working toward a full return to Maddiston.' A report going to Falkirk Council's executive on June 19 revealed that the mortar used in the construction was 'significantly deficient, providing inadequate bonding to the surrounding stone'. The cost is estimated to be around £5m, and the work will likely take at least a year. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Falkirk pupils to use 'parts' of closed primary school for new term
The extension and modular units at the storm damaged Maddiston Primary School campus will be used for younger pupils next term Parts of Maddiston Primary School campus, near Falkirk, will be back in use for the new term although the main building will not reopen until August 2026 at the earliest. The school closed in February, after damage caused by Storm Eowyn revealed significant construction problems that were present throughout the 17-year- old building caused by mortar that was "significantly deficient". As the scale of the defects became clear, the decision was taken by Falkirk Council in February to shut the building and decant around 500 pupils to three primary schools across the district. Falkirk Council's director of education, Jon Reid, wrote to all parents and carers this week to tell them the arrangements for the school year starting in August. He said the school will be able to use the new extension and existing modular units which have been unaffected by the construction defects that have been found throughout the main school. In his letter, Mr Reid confirmed that the school would not reopen until at least August 2026. He said "This is clearly disappointing news, but it is essential that the building meets all necessary building standards before staff and pupils return." The letter also confirms that Maddiston Community Centre will be used for PE and lunch arrangements. The extension will accommodate three Primary 1 classes and two Primary 2 classes while one P2/3 class and two Primary 3 classes will be in the Modular Units. Primaries 4 and 5 will go to Wallacestone Primary and Primaries 6 and 7 will be in Bantaskin Primary. The Timezone and Inclusion class pupils will continue to attend Moray Primary and Carrongrange High School. Mr Reid said that the arrangements "allow us to make the best use of available facilities across our school estate, scale back the transport arrangements in place and ensure a stable and high-quality experience for all pupils and staff while work toward a full return to Maddiston." A report going to Falkirk Council's executive on June 19 revealed that the mortar used in the construction was "significantly deficient, providing inadequate bonding to the surrounding stone". The cost is estimated be around £5 million and the work is likely to take at least a year.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
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.
