A newly constructed £31 million school in Exeter is set to be demolished without ever having hosted students, following the discovery of significant structural problems. Matford Brook Academy, built in 2021 and opened in 2023, has remained unused due to issues deemed irreparable with its foundations, according to the Department for Education (DfE), which financed the project.

The academy will be demolished, and pupils who were intended to attend the school will continue their education in temporary buildings until at least 2028. The DfE emphasized that the safety of children remains its highest priority, noting that lessons are ongoing in temporary accommodation. Officials said efforts are underway to minimize disruption to students’ education.

Local residents have voiced frustration over the situation, criticizing what they see as a costly misuse of public funds. Clive Wyeth, a semi-retired mechanic from the area, described the outcome as “a total waste of the taxpayers’ money” and expressed disappointment that children are being taught in makeshift classrooms instead of the permanent facility.

Matford Brook Academy, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust and operates independently of Devon County Council, stated that additional temporary classrooms will be in place by September. A spokesperson for the school highlighted that while the buildings were a setback, the wellbeing and education of pupils remain the institution’s primary focus. They added, “A school is about far more than its buildings; it is the people who bring it to life every day.”

The case has raised questions about oversight and the long-term planning involved in the school’s development. The DfE has not provided a detailed explanation of the structural defects but confirmed that the issues are fundamental and preclude repair. Meanwhile, students and staff continue with education arrangements offsite as plans for replacement facilities are considered.