Reopening of Falkirk primary school damaged by Storm Eowyn pushed back to 2028

The reopening of a Falkirk primary school, which was closed due to damage caused by Storm Eowyn, has been pushed back to 2028.

In February 2025, Maddiston Primary School was partially shut after the adverse weather conditions hit the country.

An investigation, which was carried out to assess the damage, found significant construction problems throughout the 17-year-old building, caused by mortar that was “significantly deficient.”

Around 500 pupils were forced to relocate to Wallacestone Primary School, Bantaskin Primary School, Braes High School, Carrongrange High School and Moray Primary School, depending on their years and needs.

The school campus was entirely closed for six months due to the condition of stonework areas around the building.

In August 2025, three Primary 1 classes and two Primary 2 classes, while one P2/3 class and two Primary 3 classes returned to modular units on site.

Primaries 4 and 5 will go to Wallacestone Primary, and Primary 6 and 7 are in Bantaskin Primary.

The Timezone and Inclusion class pupils will continue to attend Moray Primary and Carrongrange High School.

In a 2025 letter from Falkirk Council’s director of education Jon Reid, he told parents that the main building would not reopen until August 2026.

This anticipated date was then pushed back by a year.

However, following further investigations, which uncovered additional defects and compliance issues within the building, the local authority say the school building will remain closed until August 2028.

The issues were identified during extensive strip-out work in the last few months.

The main building of Maddiston Primary remains closed. STV News

Falkirk Council’s head of investment, assets and climate, Paul Kettrick, has acknowledged that families will be “frustrated and disappointed” by the decision to delay the reopening.

He added: “Once the additional defects and works to meet current regulations were identified, it was clear they had to be addressed before the school could safely reopen.

“While this means more time is needed, it is the right thing to do. Completing this work now will ensure pupils and staff return to a building that is safe, fully compliant and built to last.

“Our focus remains on delivering the right long-term outcome for the school community and we will continue to keep families informed as the project progresses.”

The director of education believes the “temporary arrangements” in place is delivering a “high-quality educational experience”.

“We have written directly to those affected and will continue to work closely with school leaders, staff and partner establishments to minimise disruption while the reinstatement programme progresses,” Reid said.

“Planning for the 2027/28 school year is already underway, with final arrangements to be confirmed through the normal planning process in June 2027.”