Backlog of repairs in Sheffield schools tops £45 million

Sheffield schools have a backlog of repairs costing £45 million – which would take more than a decade to fix.
By Lucy Ashton
Published 17th Feb 2022, 08:39 BST
Updated 17th Feb 2022, 10:50 BST
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The overdue maintenance is for 66 school buildings which are looked after by the council, academies are not included.

A report says: “Existing resources of around £3m annually are largely absorbed by reactive maintenance and essential programmes such as fire risk.

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Sheffield Council is lobbying the government for more money to carry out repairs to school buildingsSheffield Council is lobbying the government for more money to carry out repairs to school buildings
Sheffield Council is lobbying the government for more money to carry out repairs to school buildings

“Using current allocations it would take the council more than 12 years to fully implement lifecycle maintenance.”

The demand will fall as more schools transfer to become academies but there are “significant challenges” with the condition of schools.

The council is prioritising repairs on a ‘worst first’ basis and bundles them together wherever possible to maximise efficiency. It will also continue to lobby the Department for Education for more money.

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Recent school repairs include:

Abbey Lane School

The combined heat and power unit that serves the school extension broke down.

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A report says: “A specialist engineer visited and found a major engine failure with the unit beyond repair.

“A back-up boiler is operating but is not fit for purpose, it does not heat the building adequately or heat the water to statutory temperature.”

A new boiler and replacement heating system will be installed.

Halfway Infants School

The school office needs refurbishing. A report says: “The whole building is in an extremely poor condition with extensive decay to the timber wall panels, framework, timber window casements and external fire door resulting from water ingress.”

Broomhill Infants

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The heating has significant problems and is at the end of its life. A new system will be installed.

Abbey Lane Primary

A structural inspection of the ceiling slabs revealed problems with roof planks in the 1960s extension above 12 rooms.

A report says: “The useful life of these planks has been estimated to be around 30 years and pre-1980s planks are now past their expected service life.”

The council will look at replacing the planks over the next four years.

Broomhall Nursery

A well in the basement overflows and floods during heavy rainfall causing damp, wet rot and an insect infestation. Remedial works are being carried out.

Related topics:SheffieldSchoolsParents