'State-of-the-art' school to be demolished without any students ever setting foot inside it

By SOPHIA STANFORD, NEWS REPORTER Published: 15:32, 5 July 2026 | Updated: 15:38, 5 July 2026 The main part of a 'state-of-the-art' new school near Exeter is to be demolished and rebuilt, the Government has decided. Matford Brook Academy opened in 2023 but no pupil has ever set foot inside the main building due to structural problems. Now the Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed fixing it is not possible and it would be better to tear it down and start again. The decision is the latest chapter in a long-running construction fiasco which has cost millions of pounds. It means pupils at the all-through school will continue to have lessons in temporary buildings until at least 2028. The school has released a statement confirming it had received an update from the DfE on the future of the permanent school building. It says: 'As you know, earlier this year the DfE appointed [contractor] Kier to support with the investigative works on site, as part of efforts to determine the most appropriate path forward for the building. 'Their review found the building does not meet the required building standards in its current form and that it is not possible to resolve these issues to the required standard. The DfE has therefore decided that the best way forward is to replace the partially completed building with a new school building. 'The DfE remains fully committed to providing a high-quality, modern school building for pupils, staff and the wider community. Work is already underway by the DfE to plan the next steps, including appointing a trusted contractor with a strong track record to deliver the rebuild.' The main part of Matford Brook Academy near Exeter is to be demolished and rebuilt, the Government has decided No pupil has ever set foot inside the main building due to structural problems and pupils at the all-through school will continue to have lessons in temporary buildings until at least 2028 The school assured parents there will be 'no change to day-to-day education' for current and new students joining in September. '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,' says the school. '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.' Matford Brook Academy sits in the centre of a massive 2,500 housing development spanning former farmland between Exminster and Alphington. Construction on the site began in 2021 but by 2023 'significant' construction issues, including problems with its foundations, became apparent. Its first intake of pupils had to attend St Luke's, a few miles away. It was claimed the new school building was 'missing' structural bolts. The collapse of primary contractor ISG in 2024 caused more delays. Devon County councillor Alan Connett said in a post: '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.' He said he was 'delighted we at last have an announcement on the way forward' and praised the standard of education and high standard of the temporary, modular buildings currently being used to educate students. The school has shared details of the Department for Education decision. It states its recent review 'identified several significant structural and compliance issues that would require extensive dismantling and redesign'. It adds: 'The Department for Education (DfE) has therefore decided that the most practical and reliable way forward is to replace the partially completed structure with a new school building. For pupils and families, this means there will be no change to day-to-day education, which will continue in the existing temporary accommodation. 'We want to reassure you that the DfE remains fully committed to completing the project and providing a high-quality, modern school building. The DfE will continue to work closely with the Ted Wragg Trust and the school to minimise disruption and to ensure that pupils' education continues as normally as possible. 'Further detail on the programme, including expected timelines, will be shared once confirmed.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. 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