Still-closed school looks at defences

FLOOD defences are being reviewed at a new South Yorkshire school, still shut more than two months after being inundated with water.

Pupils at The Willows School in Thurcroft could be away from their desks for another two months while urgent repairs are being carried out.

During the June storms most of the Locksley Drive school was under water when a sewer overflowed, contaminating the building.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The school had only opened the previous September after a major rebuild project was completed.

A Rotherham Council spokesman said: “Since we built the new Willows School a large amount of effort has been put in to create new flood defences.”

He said the defences held firm - but the sewers were full so the school drains could not empty and the water backed up, flooding the building.

“Our engineers are now investigating more ways that the school could be protected and more discussions will take place with Severn Trent Water.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Pupils at the special needs school spent the last two weeks of term being taught at Newman School and Whiston Grange in Rotherham.

And it will now be at least October half-term before they can return.

“We are operating as normally and closely to the curriculum as we can,” said headteacher Anne Sanderson. “All the students returned to the two alternative schools this week and hopefully everything will be back to normal after half-term.”