Schools temporarily close amid £14m legal action over alleged defects

Schools in east Lancashire built around 15 years ago have had to close temporarily as the council investigates alleged defects.

Shuttleworth College in Padiham and Unity College in Burnley were closed on Monday (December 2) while Pendle Vale Community High School and College in Nelson was shut for two days last week. Holly Grove School in Burnley was also closed on Thursday (December 5).

Lancashire County Council says it has undertaken surveys at 'a number of' schools constructed under the government's Building Schools for the Future Programme resulting in some temporary closures. However, it has not said which schools are affected.

READ MORE: Major reforms to mental health services announced amid NHS trust's failings

It comes amid legal action involving contractor Lendlease relating to schools built under the programme in the late 2000s. Multiple legal claims totalling £14m have been made regarding alleged defects at schools built under Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts.

Schools named in the court documents include those on the Burnley Campus, the Pendle Vale Campus and Shuttleworth College as well as Sir John Thursby Community College and Ridgewood Community High in Burnley. Lendlease declined to comment on the legal proceedings but said it is in 'close communication' with the local authority which is carrying out the inspections at several schools.

Lancashire County Council has not explained what the issues are. However, in a letter to parents, Unity College, which reopened on Wednesday (December 4), revealed that the concerns relate to the construction of the exterior walls with issues identified in a 'limited sample of walls in a limited sample of schools', stressing that the local authority is acting 'out of an abundance of caution'.

Fencing has now been erected around some schools including Shuttleworth College which told parents on Monday (December 2) that the council is putting 'precautionary measures' in place at 'all schools' built under the Building Schools for the Future programme.

Some 83 schools in the county were supposed to be rebuilt or refurbished under the scheme which was scrapped in 2010. In the end, 13 schools were built as part of the programme including Blessed Trinity RC College, The Rose School, Unity College, Burnley Sixth Form, Sir John Thursby Community College and Ridgewood Community High in Burnley, Fulwood Academy in Preston, Marsden Heights Community College and Pendle Vale Community High School and College in Nelson and Shuttleworth College in Padiham.

Lancashire County Council has not revealed the full list of schools affected. The local authority said that it is up to the individual schools to decide whether to remain open while the fencing is installed following the recent inspections that were carried out.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "The county council has undertaken surveys at a number of Lancashire schools constructed under the Government's Building Schools for the Future Programme. In the course of carrying out their inspections, surveyors have identified some areas requiring further investigation.

"Fencing is being erected until a thorough inspection has been completed and any necessary repairs have been carried out. It is up to the school to decide whether to remain open while the fencing is installed and a number have chosen to temporarily close.

"The county council is doing everything possible to ensure this work is completed quickly and with minimal disruption to the schools."

A spokesperson for Lendlease said: “We understand that the local authority is carrying out inspections at these schools. We’re in close communication with the local authority and will work collaboratively with everyone involved.”

The spokesperson added: “As this matter is currently subject to legal proceedings it would not be appropriate for us to comment.”