New part-built Newquay primary school in Cornwall being demolished

The new Newquay Primary Academy had been under construction next to Newquay Tretherras School but had been hit by a number of delays.

Now workers have been on site pulling down the buildings which had been put up on site after work first started in January 2021.

The school had originally been set to open its doors in September 2021. However a number of delays set back the project including the company which provided the buildings – Caledonian Modular – going into administration in April 2022. Due to the delays the school has been operating from a temporary site at Newquay Sports Centre.

Last May Lisa Mannall, Cornwall Education Learning Trust (CELT) lead, said: “Due to unforeseen delays incurred by the Department of Education to provide suitable accommodation for Newquay Primary Academy (NPA), Newquay Sports Centre, CELT and the Newquay community have pulled together to provide a site for the town’s children.”

People in Newquay who have watched the demolition taking place this week have been commenting on social media to say that they think it is a waste.

Jessica May wrote on Facebook: “What a huge shame. Waste of all the materials, environmentally terrible.”

And Marie Pearce added: “What a total waste! These people have no imagination or ability to think outside their bureaucratic boxes.”

Image of the proposed entrance for the new Newquay Primary Academy which has been granted planning permission

The Newquay school is not the only one in Cornwall affected by the collapse of Caledonian Modular – the new Sky Academy planned at the West Carclaze Garden Village was also set to be built by the firm and work had also started on building the new Launceston Primary School.

At West Carclaze work had started on preparing the site for the new school but no building work had started when the project was halted. The new school has been operating from a temporary site at the Eden Project until the new buildings are ready.

In Launceston work is also set to start on demolishing the part-built school there. The Department for Education has been reported as stating: “The main contractor originally appointed by DfE unexpectedly went into administration in March 2022, leaving several construction issues that do not comply with the DfE’s strict construction standards.

“Detailed surveys of the buildings have been completed to identify the extent of these issues and a plan of action has been agreed with the replacement main contractor to rectify and complete the works and ensure that the new building is fully compliant with the DfE’s strict quality and safety requirements. Works are anticipated to be complete in Summer 2024.”

CELT was contacted to comment on the current situation at Newquay Primary Academy but has not yet responded.