Funding to solve Russell Scott problems?

A DENTON primary school left in a mess after a rebuilding job went disastrously wrong may finally get the funding needed to help put things right.

Headteacher of Russell Scott, Steve Marsland, believes it will take about £5 million to right the wrongs and also revealed other failings that hit them in the pocket at a time the cost of living is a crisis.

When the school re-opened its doors in 2015 after a £2.7 million rebuild, he was finding problems which have not stopped.

Pupils now in Year Six have not been able to play on the field during their entire time there. It remains fenced off with warning signs after it became a dumping ground.

Carillion was responsible for the work after Tameside Council secured funding through the Primary Capital Scheme.

Carillion was responsible for the work after Tameside Council secured funding through the Primary Capital Scheme.

But sewage coming up into the playground, having to evacuate because of explosive levels of sewer gas that triggered alarms and other issues brought things to a head.

Now local MP Andrew Gwynne, who has repeatedly mentioned the issue in Parliament, has revealed Tameside Council has submitted a bid for Government cash.

He said in the House of Commons: “The situation at Russell Scott is appalling.

Russell Scott Primary

“The brilliant staff and students are being made to pay the price for Carillion’s botched refurbishment, and we urgently need the government to step in and help sort this problem out.

“In 21st Century Britain, it is incomprehensible to me that children can be being forced to learn in conditions like this. This government loves to talk the talk about ‘Levelling-up’, well here is a real opportunity to do so.

“I am pleased to be backing Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council’s bid for this funding, and will do everything in my power to ensure that the government recognises the important of granting it.”

Mr Marsland recently told The Correspondent he was ‘appalled’ at how the Government approached Mr Gwynne’s concerns over the Clare Street school.


He said: “I am appalled that a building so poorly constructed by Carillion could be left and forgotten about.

“Architects and various other structural experts have condemned the building and only replacement and rebuild will be adequate.

“The heating has been condemned and is so inefficient that we have been paying £45,000 annually for our energy costs, when before Carillion botched it up it was between £12-£15,000.

“So since 2015, we have spent more than £180,000 in excessive energy bills and we have an energy crisis looming! This is coming out of the general school budget for staff etc.”

However, a Tameside Council spokesperson said: “The council is submitting a detailed bid to the Department for Education School Rebuilding Programme for the rebuilding of Russell Scott Primary School.

“The council continues to work closely with the school and will do all it can to support the case for a rebuild.”

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