Schools scheme hit by problems

A major improvement scheme to schools for pupils with special educational needs has been hit by a raft of problems – including the pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine and a shortage of labour, according to a county council report.

The report to go before the Lincolnshire Schools’ Forum today (April 21) updates members on the implementation of an improvement strategy approved in November 2018.

Work on Spalding’s Priory School has been delayed because of the amount of asbestos found within the building, says the report.

Nearly two pages of the report is dedicated to why some of the schemes have fallen behind schedule, ranging from Brexit and a lack of ‘migrant workers’ to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“Global supply chains have been severely disrupted,” it says.

“Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the effect on building material supply in the UK is significant,” it adds.

Russia and Ukraine export nearly 45 million tons of steel, and the price has risen while supplies across construction are impacted.

“There is a global shortage of shipping containers, leading to astonishing inflationary pressures on the cost of shipping freight. The price for a 40ft container from China to Europe has risen by nearly 500 per cent.”

The problems have been compounded with a lack of HGV drivers and a UK skills gap.

There have been shortages of windows and plaster along with timber and copper.

Members of the forum will also be told there’s a shortage of labour as migrant workers return home.

“Locally, Lincolnshire notoriously struggles to secure labour and construction management staff,” says the report.

The result of the delays and problems are reflected in rising costs, with steel rocketing by 60 per cent.

Development at The Garth School is complete and it is due to merge with The Priory to become the Tulip Academy for September this year.

The Priory School site has seen demolition of a block and the scheme was due to be ready for September, but ‘excessive asbestos on site, means it will now be December.’