Disruption as Oldbury school classroom block closed over safety fears

The building at Perryfields High School in Oldbury, containing 28 classrooms, has been closed by Sandwell Council “with immediate effect” after an inspection found it was potentially unsafe. It was only opened in 2012.

The loss of the block in December, which has only come to light now in a new report, has caused major issues for the school, where there are more than 1,100 pupils.

Temporary classrooms have since been brought in but the school remains short on space, meaning the council will have to fork out £800,000 for more.

The council report said leaders were “finding it increasingly difficult and restrictive to deliver a full curriculum” and had been forced to change the timetable to avoid a full closure.

The Jubilee Block was taken out of use “due to its poor state of repair, particularly the structure, which has significantly deteriorated since it opened”, the report added.

Sandwell Council leader Steve Trow said immediate action was taken to ensure the safety of pupils and that the authority was working on finding a long-term solution.

The block was built by Interserve through the Building Schools for the Future programme.

Pupils are using 12 temporary classrooms, with another eight to be delivered.

'Considerable stress'

Councillor Trow said: “It has caused considerable stress for pupils and for staff. This is affecting the ability of teachers to be able to do their jobs properly.

“Every effort is being made to get this resolved as soon as we possibly can.

He added: “This was an immediate, urgent matter which emerged without any warning but action was taken quickly to ensure, first and foremost, the safety of everyone using the block.”

The report said: “Following initial results of a condition survey for Jubilee Block the council took the decision to close the building to staff and pupils with immediate effect.

"With the shortfall in accommodation the school has temporarily re-organised its timetable to avoid a full closure.

“The temporary arrangements the school has introduced to manage closure of the Block are not sustainable, with measures such as the temporary use of the main school hall and drama studio for overflow general teaching spaces, so it is necessary to provide additional teaching accommodation.”

Council bosses said Interserve would be asked to cover costs of providing temporary classrooms and was being pursued “for an acceptable remediation package”.

However, Interserve spokesman Ian Green said: “Had the building been properly maintained by its owners the Jubilee Block would still be in operation.

"Unfortunately that has not been the case, hence the current state of disrepair. When Interserve came off site in September 2012 the building met all building regulations, and had been signed off by Sandwell Council.”