The new home for Matford Brook Academy in Exeter was left unfinished when ISG went into administration in September 2024.

Pupils have been taught since in a  series of temporary building while Kier was called in earlier this year to assess the state of the new permanent building.

Kier’s report to the Department for Education found found the building does not meet the required building standards and should be demolished.

The DfE said: “The independent review found that the building does not meet the required standards in its current form.

“It identified several significant structural and compliance issues that would require extensive dismantling and redesign, with no assurance that the building would ultimately meet the necessary certification requirements.

“The Department for Education has therefore decided that the most practical and reliable way forward is to replace the partially completed structure with a new school building.

“Work is already underway to plan the next steps, including appointing a trusted contractor with a strong track record to deliver the rebuild. ”