Prudhoe Community High School in Northumberland has temporarily closed following the discovery of significant cracks in its building. Built in 2016, the school is part of the Cheviot Learning Trust and was shut down on the recommendation of structural engineers. The closure will last until at least 3 March, as the school coincides with the upcoming half-term break.
Engineers are currently investigating the cause and severity of the cracks. The school, constructed at a cost of £14.6 million under the previous Conservative government's priority school building programme (PSBP), may be experiencing issues related to ground subsidence due to historical mining activities in the area.
"They think it's a bit of ground subsidence, there was a lot of mining in that area." – Guy Renner-Thompson
Guy Renner-Thompson, Northumberland County Council's cabinet member for children's services, expressed support for the school during this challenging time. While the structural engineers recommended the closure, the council has provided a temporary building in Prudhoe for the school's senior leadership team to continue their work.
"From a council point of view, we're just supporting them the best we can, but they've got two weeks now to check everything over." – Guy Renner-Thompson
The Cheviot Learning Trust has emphasized its commitment to ensuring student safety and educational continuity throughout this disruption.
"Our primary concerns are safety and the continuity of our pupils' education, and each decision we make keeps these at the forefront." – Cheviot Learning Trust
The PSBP, under which Prudhoe Community High School was built, has since been withdrawn. This has raised questions about the long-term durability and safety of structures erected under this program. The results of the ongoing investigation by engineers are expected before the end of February, which will provide further clarity on the situation.
