‘Demolish new Chichester school extension if it isn’t safe for children’

The modular building was constructed at Parklands Community Primary School back in 2017 at a cost of £3.89million. However ‘major defects’ have been discovered since and the total bill could run up to £700,000 for West Sussex County Council to fix them all, although it hopes to recover the cost from the original contractor. This week the county council confirmed a significant amount of work had been completed and it was working hard to minimise disruption to pupil staff, but it admitted the situation was ‘frustrating for all concerned’. This was in response to a laundry list of problems revealed to the Observer by angry parents concerned about the health and wellbeing of their children. Parents are calling for the county council to be held accountable for the ‘terrible way they have spent taxpayers’ money’. Some pupils have come home complaining of headaches and feeling tired after spending the day in the new building. Parents praised the ‘wonderful’ staff but want a building that is safe and fit for purpose. There are even calls for the building to be knocked down, with one parent saying it was ‘disgraceful that children are being taught in it’. At least one is also considering moving their child to another school. Another said: “All parents need clarity and transparency from West Sussex County Council if this school is safe to be occupied.” One of the major problems with the new building is extreme hot/cold temperatures experienced with radiators installed near the ceilings. Parents have told the Observer both staff and children have complained of headaches and feeling dizzy. They say the heat recovery units have not been performing properly due to vents not being installed on the outside of the building and they are often too noisy for pupils and teachers when running. The entire building has not passed acoustic tests, while classroom doors reportedly fly open when windy. Parents also describe an incident where the bike shelter was not fixed down properly and blew across the school, another where a crane slinged its boom over the playground when parents were collecting their children and a third where a panel on the outside of the building fell down over a weekend resulting in the school being closed for a week. Originally there was no accessible toilet on the first floor. Parents also say the lift also constantly breaks down with classes having to be moved due to pupils using wheelchairs not being able to access the first floor. The list of issues was put to the county council. In response, a spokesman said: “Work is ongoing to resolve a number of issues with the extension at Parklands Primary School. “A significant amount of work has been completed and we are continuing to work closely with the contractor and the school to resolve some very complex matters. Investigations are being undertaken to look at the temperature, ventilation, lighting, noise and overall comfort levels being experienced. “We are working hard to minimise the disruption to pupils and staff but appreciate this is a frustrating situation for all concerned, and will continue to regularly update the school community as work progresses.”