Egglescliffe School and Sixth Form College will be closed to students and most staff on Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th January as striking photos show the significant roof damage caused by Storm Eowyn.
Strong winds from the storm on Friday afternoon caused debris to fall from the damaged roof, prompting an initial lockdown and evacuation of the school. While all students and staff were confirmed safe, structural engineers have assessed the site and deemed it necessary to close the school for two days as a precautionary measure.
Photographs reveal significant damage to the roof of the 1960s science block, with felt and external insulation peeling away and impacting laboratory extraction equipment. Large sections of the 15-year-old perimeter rooftop safety rail have been ripped from the structure. The photos indicated that the wooden blocks mounting the railing had visible age-based deterioration.
Questions are now being asked about the adequacy of inspections for the metal rail, which was attached to these deteriorating wooden blocks. Portions of the railing detached during the storm, highlighting the potential severity of the situation. Had any of these detached sections struck a pupil, the consequences could have been catastrophic.
In a statement released yesterday, the school acknowledged the inconvenience the closure may cause families and students but emphasised that the safety of everyone remains their top priority.
“We have been working into the night and again this morning and we can now give you an update on the situation,” the statement reads. “Structural engineers have assessed the site, and we have made the difficult decision to close the school to students and the majority of staff on Monday 27th January and Tuesday 28th January.”
Parents and carers are advised to check ClassCharts for more detailed information from the Head of School, and students are encouraged to monitor ClassCharts closely from Monday morning.
The school expressed their gratitude for the ongoing support and patience of the school community during this challenging time.
Egglescliffe School were approached for comment, but had not responded at the time of publication.