Schools: Repairs and Maintenance

(asked on 31st January 2019) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions his Department has had with the (a) Education and Skills Funding Authority (ESFA) and (b) Little Ilford School to ensure that ESFA-commissioned maintenance works are conducted without disruption to GCSE Science Practical.


Answered by
Nick Gibb Portrait
Nick Gibb
This question was answered on 5th February 2019

The Department is aware of the issues with gas supply at Little Ilford School, which was rebuilt under phase one of the Priority School Building Programme and which opened in its new building in 2016.

Air was seeping into the gas system, resulting in a lack of gas. Major work was carried out on the school’s gas pipework in summer 2018, which initially resolved the issue until late in the autumn term. The contractor, Wates, carried out testing over a weekend in January and reported blockages in the gas taps, caused by items including pencils and chewing gum. Wates recommended that the faulty taps should be replaced or repaired.

The faulty gas outlets have now been replaced and repaired by the school and they have been advised to regularly check for blockages to prevent this issue reoccurring. This appears to have resolved the issue, but the Department continues to work with the school to monitor the situation and provide advice and training. Wates will go to the site during half term to ensure that all gas outlets are working correctly before the children return.

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