Grove Academy’s fuel bills appear to have rocketed since it moved into its new building, a Broughty Ferry councillor has reported.
Labour’s education spokesman Laurie Bidwell spoke out after The Courier revealed concerns expressed by retiring headmaster John Hunter.
“In essence his complaint is that the heating and ventilation system at Grove has yet to consistently deliver an optimum temperature for teaching and learning throughout the school,” said Mr Bidwell, who added that Mr Hunter had raised the matter regularly at meetings of the school’s parent council.
“As a result of the acknowledged heating and ventilation difficulties, Robertson’s (the company responsible for maintaining the building) apparently employed a consultant to look into the issue.”
Mr Bidwell said he has so far been unable to obtain a copy of the report.
“Apparently the consultant’s advice is that teachers should open more windows to reduce the temperature,” he said. “This, however, is a very expensive way to regulate the temperature in a classroom since it affects the school’s energy bills, which have apparently been soaring since the Grove moved into its new buildings.”
A Dundee City Council spokesman said the new Grove Academy is larger than its predecessor, is open longer and contains facilities such as a swimming pool and more extensive computer suites, which could be expected to affect fuel bills.
“Both Robertson and the city council have already taken action to investigate and address concerns that some Grove Academy staff had with heating and ventilation within the school,” said the spokesman.
“Robertson sought advice from the leading UK building research establishment and they concluded that, ‘The technical standards and good practice recommendations for ventilation of non-domestic buildings are satisfied by the design at Grove Academy.’
“However, it is essential that all staff located in Grove Academy are appropriately trained in the use of the natural ventilation system, which includes trickle vents and air ducts.Refresh”A new head teacher will be in place for the start of term in August. We will take this opportunity to revisit and refresh operational procedures with both the senior management team at the school and Robertson.
“This will allow a chance to make sure that the ventilation and heating systems are understood clearly and correctly applied by everyone using the building.”
Meanwhile the chairman of the school’s parent council, Dr Allen Thurston, likened the search for Mr Hunter’s successor to “Manchester United trying to replace Alex Ferguson.”
Losing Mr Hunter and two deputy heads who also retired last week was a blow to the school, and the parents of Broughty Ferry owed them “a real debt of gratitude.”
Concern has been expressed at the loss of much of the senior management team that led Grove to be named the 15th top state school in Scotland last year, but Dr Thurston was quick to reassure parents.
“I would agree that the school is at a fairly critical point because it has improved year-on-year over the past few years not just because of the senior management, but because of the efforts of all the staff,” he said.
“However, we are really fortunate that the remaining deputy head, Lesley Elder, will be taking over the reins in the short term and we have every confidence in her.”
Dr Thurston said that as no suitable internal candidate was found for the position of rector, the post was now being advertised nationally.
“It is in the interests of the school to get the right person, someone who can take the school on further than it was because I am certain that the school can get even better.”