Matford Brook Academy, a newly constructed school in Exeter designed to accommodate more than 1,450 students, will be demolished due to structural concerns, the school’s leadership has announced. The building, completed in 2023, was intended to open three years ago but has remained unused since its completion.

The academy was planned as a “state-of-the-art” educational facility to serve the local community. However, ongoing delays and issues with the building’s integrity have prevented its opening. As a result, school leaders established a temporary cluster of classrooms, referred to as a “village,” adjacent to the school site to accommodate students.

A recent review revealed that the permanent building “does not meet the required building standards in its current form,” making it unsuitable for use. According to the school's statement, the structure will need to be completely rebuilt to comply with safety and regulatory requirements.

Students will continue attending classes in the temporary facilities, which are expected to remain in place until at least 2028, prolonging reliance on the interim solution. The setback has raised concerns among parents and community members who anticipated the transition to the new school building several years ago.

Officials have not yet provided detailed information on the causes of the structural deficiencies or outlined a specific timeline and budget for the reconstruction process. The decision to demolish the facility underscores the challenges associated with large-scale public infrastructure projects and their impact on educational provision.

Staff and families are now navigating extended use of the temporary classrooms during a period initially meant to mark the academy’s launch in a permanent home. The local education authority said it remains committed to resolving the situation and delivering a safe, high-quality learning environment for Matford Brook students as soon as possible.