By ROBERT GIBSON robert.gibson@hexham-courant.co.uk

Last updated at 11:37, Friday, 22 January 2010

TEACHERS and pupils at Prudhoe West First School have been showing their “Dunkirk spirit” after the recent snow caused thousands of pounds of devastation to their building.

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Melted snow, which seeped under roof tiles, caused ceilings to collapse in two classrooms and an ICT suite, where the server for the school's Internet access was damaged.

Although no-one was hurt, pupils in years three and four are now taking lessons in the sports hall, with PE and out-of-hours activities cancelled for the time being.

ICT lessons have also been scrapped as many computers were ruined, and even basic administrative tasks have been proving difficult.

“We’ve lost the use of the Internet and our interactive white boards for supporting lessons,” said headteacher Alan Keenleyside.

“Myself and the office staff have likewise had to wait until 5pm or 6pm before we can access emails remotely from home.

“You take a lot of things for granted until something like this happens.”

The collapsed ceiling in the ICT suite –which caused water to pour in so quickly that, at one point, seven 35 gallon drums were filling up within four hours – was discovered by the school caretaker during morning rounds on Tuesday, January 5.

Teacher training had taken place the previous day and it is thought that turning up the building’s heating caused snow to melt on the roof’s apexes. This forced water into the plaster underneath, eventually bringing down the suspended ceiling.

Given the vulnerability of the other two classrooms, which are also in the Victorian section of the 100-year-old school, the decision was made to take the children out immediately and close the school the next day.

“The health and safety of pupils is absolutely paramount,” Mr Keenleyside said.

“Many parents were very understanding as they appreciated the concerns we had.”

The school remained shut because of the bad weather and because water was now pouring into the classrooms.

On Friday, January 8, staff managed to transfer class materials to the sports hall while Northumberland County Council workers inspected the damage.

Although insured, the school will have to pay the first £2,000 of the repair bill. Replacing the computers alone could cost £12,000, Mr Keenleyside said.

“It will be expensive to put right and it’s having an impact on the curriculum,” he added.

“But staff and children have been absolutely brilliant.

“During recent weeks, we’ve also been down to our last two bags of grit and had a local farmer come to dig out the car park.

“So with all these things, everyone’s really had to show their Dunkirk spirit.”

A Northumberland County Council spokesman said: “The property department has visited the school and assessed the damage.

“We are in the process of organising a contractor to carry out remedial work.”

Until this had been arranged, it was impossible to estimate costs or duration of repair work, she added.

Anyone wishing to contact Prudhoe West in the meantime should do so by telephone on (01661) 832288.

First published at 09:41, Friday, 22 January 2010
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk