By the Education Magazine | July 8, 2026
The U.S. Department for Education (DfE) has ordered the demolition of Matford Brook Academy in Exeter after a structural review found serious safety defects in the £31 million school building.
The school opened in 2023, but pupils have never used the permanent building. They have studied in temporary classrooms since day one because inspectors found foundation problems and missing structural bolts in the steel frame.
Kier, the firm appointed by the DfE to review the site, found that the defects could not be fixed to a safe standard. Officials decided a full rebuild was the only safe option.
The DfE also confirmed that main contractor ISG went into administration in 2024, before the technical assessment was complete. Pupils and staff will remain in temporary modular classrooms until at least 2028, when the new building is expected to open.
Here is what caused the Matford Brook Academy demolition, what it will cost, and what happens next.
About Matford Brook Academy?
Matford Brook Academy is an all-through school in Exeter, Devon. It sits on a new housing development between Exminster and Alphington. The school was designed to hold around 1,450 pupils and include a theatre, two sports halls, and a dining hall. Construction began in 2021, and the school welcomed its first pupils in 2023.
Even so, no pupil has ever set foot inside the main building. Every lesson has taken place in temporary accommodation because the permanent structure was never cleared as safe.
Key Facts: Matford Brook Academy Demolition
| Project Detail | Information |
| Location | Exeter, Devon, England |
| Estimated cost | £31 million |
| Construction began | 2021 |
| Student capacity | Around 1,450 pupils |
| Main contractor | ISG (entered administration in 2024) |
| Independent reviewer | Kier |
| Current status | Demolition approved |
| Expected rebuild | Earliest 2028 |
Why the Devon School Is Being Demolished
After ISG entered administration in 2024, the DfE brought in Kier to run an independent technical assessment. The review confirmed the following:
- The foundation issues were serious and widespread
- Structural bolts were missing in key areas of the steel frame
- Fixing the defects would require extensive dismantling and redesign
- There was no guarantee the building could meet safety standards even after repairs
Based on these findings, the DfE decided that rebuilding the school was safer and more practical than attempting repairs.
Timeline: Matford Brook Academy Structural Defects and Decisions
| Year | Event |
| 2021 | Construction of Matford Brook Academy begins |
| 2023 | School opens; pupils taught in temporary accommodation |
| 2023 | Structural defects identified during inspections |
| 2024 | Main contractor ISG enters administration |
| 2026 | DfE confirms the building will be demolished and rebuilt |
| 2028 | Earliest expected completion of the replacement school |
What Officials Are Saying on Matford Brook Academy Demolition
The decision has drawn criticism from local politicians, who want clarity on how a brand new building ended up unusable.
Alan Connett, Liberal Democrat councillor for Exminster and Haldon, questioned the oversight of the project:
“How on earth a brand new, never used, school is being demolished begs many questions about the management and oversight of that contract, in my view.”
– Alan Connett, Councillor for Exminster and Haldon
A DfE spokesperson said pupil safety remains the government’s top priority:
“The safety of children is our top priority, which is why we are rebuilding Matford Brook school. Pupils are currently being taught in temporary accommodation, and we are working closely with the school to ensure there is no disruption to pupils’ day-to-day education.”
– Department for Education spokesperson
The decision highlights the importance of school safety in public education.
What Happens Next for the Matford Brook Academy Rebuild
The Matford Brook Academy demolition is set to begin as the DfE appoints a new contractor to oversee the removal of the existing building and the construction of its replacement.
Daily lessons will continue without interruption in the temporary modular classrooms. The extended use of temporary classrooms also demonstrates why modular buildings have become an important solution for schools facing construction delays or major infrastructure projects.
The Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust has confirmed that extra modular accommodation will be ready by September 2026 to support growing student numbers during the rebuild.
Devon County Council has welcomed the clarity provided by the decision to proceed with the Devon school demolition, although it acknowledged that the project will face further delays.
Officials say more details, including a full construction timetable, will follow once a new contractor is appointed.
