Opening of £25m specialist school delayed by building firm collapse

Pupils will not be able to start at a new £25 million specialist school in north London until next month after the builders failed to finish work on time.

More than 230 pupils, with a range of learning, communication and physical difficulties, were due to move to the new campus of Swiss Cottage SEN (special educational needs) School next Monday. But they will have to wait until at least October 1 for term to start after a sub-contractor, Airedale Electrical, went into receivership.

Camden council has hit out at contractors, BAM, for failing to warn its officers of the full impact of the collapse. Neighbouring UCL Academy, a secondary school sponsored by University College London being built on the same site, is also subject to major delays.

The council was warned in July the academy would open seven weeks behind schedule and temporary accommodation was arranged for pupils at Brondesbury Park. Councillor Angela Mason, cabinet member for children, said: “The contract requires BAM to provide the school with suitable temporary accommodation at their own cost until the new building is ready. Because these are children with special needs, and because BAM did not admit to the delay earlier, it is unable to meet this requirement.”

BAM claims the council had been “fully informed” throughout the process. A spokesman said: “BAM’s priority is to hand over buildings which are properly ready for occupation and fully safe for pupils, parents and staff.

“The only reason this has not been possible, as originally planned, is the substantial problems as a result of major sub-contractor, Airedale Electrical, going into receivership, leaving an enormous range of mechanical and electrical problems behind. Until this happened in May the schools were on programme.”