Students to move out of Highbury College tower after cladding fire safety test failure

STUDENTS are being moved out of Highbury College’s tower block as workers are set to strip it of dangerous Grenfell-style cladding in a £2.9m renovation.
Highbury College's tower is being reclad as it has Grenfell Tower style cladding posing a fire risk. The college said measures are in place to mitigate the risk. Picture: ECD Architects LtdHighbury College's tower is being reclad as it has Grenfell Tower style cladding posing a fire risk. The college said measures are in place to mitigate the risk. Picture: ECD Architects Ltd
Highbury College's tower is being reclad as it has Grenfell Tower style cladding posing a fire risk. The college said measures are in place to mitigate the risk. Picture: ECD Architects Ltd

The Cosham institution has 22 students in the block who will have to be moved before it closes on January 31.

It comes after the cladding failed a safety test, according to ECD Architects who have designed the renovation.

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Workers will start the scheme in spring this year, with work on the 10-storey tower expected to take 12 months to complete. A nursery on the ground floor will remain open.

File photo of the tower at Highbury College.File photo of the tower at Highbury College.
File photo of the tower at Highbury College.

The Grenfell tower-style Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding will be removed in the renovation. This includes windows fitted with ACM.

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A college representative said: ‘Highbury College’s latest renovation project is due to commence in spring 2020 and is anticipated to take up to 12 months.

‘The work includes upgrading the external cladding system and the replacement of all external doors and windows with new energy efficient models designed to reduce utility costs and background noise.

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‘In order to provide a peaceful and consistent living, learning and working environment for students and staff, the tower teaching and accommodation facilities will be relocated prior to the renovation works commencing.

‘This will also ensure students are not put under additional pressure during the summer exam periods.’

Portsmouth City Council granted permission for the plans on September 17.

Students have been offered accommodation with host families for the rest of the academic year.

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Classes currently taken in the tower will be moved to the main building over the next eight to 10 weeks.The college representative added: ‘In the short to medium term, there is expected to be minimal disruption to the facilities and services located on the ground floor, which includes Honeypot Nursery and the College’s reprographic print centre which will remain open as usual.’

The college has been ordered to improve, with principal Stella Mbubaegbu OBE leaving her job after she was cleared of wrongdoing by an independent probe sparked by a whistleblower’s allegations.

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