Schools in Manchester 'at risk of collapsing' from poor safety standards
From leaking doors, to faulty fire doors and leaking sewage
There are warnings that some of the schools in Greater Manchester are 'at risk of collapsing' because of poor safety standards, according to local MPs.
One primary school in Denton has flooded six times since 2015, despite a £2.7 million refurbished six years ago.
MP for Denton and Reddish, Andrew Gwynne, said: "They've been beset by leaking roofs, fire doors that don't close. Through to the sewers backing up and flooding the school.
"Whenever there is an extreme weather event, the drains aren't able to take the sheer amount of water and so the school floods. It's worse than that though. The foundations are shot to pieces and the roof is failing."
Russell Scott Primary was originally opened in the 19th century, and rebuilt in 2015 by Carillion, a construction group that went bust in 2018.
Head teacher of the school, Steve Marsland, claims that "Carillon were brought in by the government and nobody has paid a consequence."
It's claimed other schools in Manchester are also facing serious issues with structure and design.
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Andrew says councils can't afford the rising costs, and is urging the government to step in.
Mr Gwynne said: "Tameside Council gets £1.3 million for the school condition work for all of its schools. "When you consider that over the last few years a big chunk of that £1.3 million has been spent patching up one school, it shows you the scale of the issue here."
It's claimed there are other schools facing other construction issues, with councils unable to afford the rising costs of refurbishment and repair.
Tameside Council said it had been left "disappointed and concerned after the works carried out by Carillion were not only of poor quality but did not meet statutory building standards and requirements which posed potential health and safety risks to pupils and staff."
The Denton and Reddish MP has worries that the poor building standards will have a big impact on the education of hundreds of children.
The MP said: "If education is a key Government priority then we need to make sure that children have the best opportunities they can. That means the best facilities, best teaching staff and the best chances."