Tang Hall Primary School rebuild to begin next week

Construction work is set to begin next week during the February half-term at Tang Hall Primary School after more than a year of delays.

As The Press reported in September 2024, the collapse of construction group ISG meant that much anticipated plans to rebuild the 100 year old building in Tang Hall was unable to even start.

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Building work by ISG was stopped at another York primary school – Hempland in Heworth, which is also part of the Pathfinder Multi Academy Trust (MAT) – with work there yet to restart.

Lorraine Atkinson, headteacher at Tang Hall Primary School, said that the staff were “excited” to see the rebuild work finally starting again with contractors Tilbury Douglas at the helm.

She said: “This first phase is a crucial step in enabling the construction of our new school, which will greatly enhance our facilities and learning spaces.

Head teacher Lorraine Atkinson with Tang Hall pupils (Image: Provided)

“We are grateful for the patience and support of our school community as this work begins.”

The current school, which dates back to the 1920s, will be replaced with a purpose-built, single-storey building which will include modern facilities including classrooms, a nursery, library, staff rooms, offices, and a hall.

Work will begin with the remodelling of part of the existing building to allow all pupils and staff to be housed on one half of the site and once complete, part of the current building will be demolished to make way for the new facility.

Play equipment outside the school (Image: Provided)

A spokesperson for Pathfinder Multi Academy Trust said: “We are delighted that the first step in Tang Hall’s new build project will shortly be underway.

“Tilbury Douglas will complete the project to the approved plans and specifications, which includes the construction of the new L-shaped single storey school building on the north-west part of the site, with the addition of a new playing field, play area, landscaping, and significantly improved outdoor space on the eastern half of the site.

“The school will remain fully operational throughout the project, with careful planning in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of pupils, staff, and visitors at all times.”

Contractors are set to start work next week (Image: Provided)

The new building, expected to be completed by winter 2027, will occupy a smaller footprint, allowing for more outdoor space and facilities on the site.

The Department for Education (DfE), which is funding and managing the rebuild, has appointed another new main contractor – Morgan Sindall Construction – for sister school Hempland Primary.

The concrete foundations and steel structure of Hempland’s new two-storey building were already completed by ISG prior to all works ceasing in September 2024.

The Pathfinder spokesperson said: “We have been working closely with the teams at the DfE and Morgan Sindall to get work restarted at Hempland as soon as possible.

The build will provide students with more outside space (Image: Provided)

“Extensive site surveys and remedial works have been taking place and we anticipate full-scale construction being able to resume during the summer term.

“We recognise the disruption and uncertainty caused by the delays in the project and would like to thank pupils, staff, parents and local residents for their continued patience, support and understanding.

“We are looking forward to delivering two purpose-built schools fit for 21st century learning which will benefit their communities for many years to come.”