Blaze leaves school devastated
PUPILS AND TEACHERS LEFT IN SHOCK - BUT ONE PARENT HAS ALREADY LAUNCHED CAMPAIGN,
STAFF at a Derby school say they have been left devastated by a fire that destroyed most of the building.
Images released by Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service show classrooms at St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy severely burnt down by the blaze, which broke out shortly before 6am on Saturday.
An investigation into the cause of the blaze is under way.
The school, which is part of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, has described the fire as devastating, with pupils now set for more time away from the classroom having been away during the coronavirus pandemic.
Sean McClafferty, chief executive of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, said: “The fire which broke out at St Mary’s in the early hours of Saturday has caused extensive damage to the building. As a result, it is not safe for staff and pupils to enter.
“The school will be closed from Monday and we are putting plans in place for home learning from Tuesday this week and the school has been in contact with all staff and parents/carers to inform them of this. We are discussing provision for pupils going forward and we will be in touch with families as soon as we can to let them know what our plans are.
“As a trust, we are working closely with St Mary’s, the Diocese of Nottingham, the local authority and the emergency services. An investigation is being carried out by the fire service to determine the cause of the fire.
“Our thoughts are very much with our school community at this incredibly difficult time and we will be doing everything we possibly can to support everyone affected.”
Amanda Greaves, executive head teacher at St Mary’s, said: “We are absolutely devastated and want to reassure our staff, parents and families that we are still very much a community and we will come through this together.”
The school’s statement came after Gavin Tomlinson, chief fire officer at Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service tweeted images of the aftermath of the fire.
He said on Twitter: “Another devastating school fire, total loss of the building despite fantastic efforts by crews from @DerbyshireFRS. We need to protect vital buildings like this with sprinklers.”
Residents living close by said they were upset. Alex Baxter said: “I’m devastated. My brother used to go to the school and loved it there. It’s just awful news, sad for the community.”
Darley ward councillor Martin
We are still very much a community and we will come through this together. Head teacher Amanda Greaves
Repton described the events as “a sad day for Derby”.
He said: “I am shocked and saddened by Saturday’s fire. We must now all work to minimise the negative impact this dreadful fire will have on the 300 pupils’ education and day-to-day lives.
“We must put into place immediate plans to get these children the premises where their schooling can continue.”
A MUM-OF-SEVEN whose children attend the school has already helped raise hundreds of pounds to kickstart its recovery.
Faith Mosley and five of her children who attend St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and Nursery were in tears when they found out the Darley Abbey school was in flames.
Faith, 31, the owner of a local cleaning business, has set up a Go Fund Me page. Within 24 hours, the page raised more than £700 which will help pay to replace equipment lost in the fire.
Faith said she wants to help staff who have supported her children including her autistic son Ryley, aged seven.
She said: “I’ve been overwhelmed with the response the page has had – it’s been shared all over and to get to £700 so far is amazing.
“When I saw what had happened I felt that I needed to go on a mission to help the school – they’ve been brilliant and so supportive to my children.
“My children were in floods of tears – they were so happy and learning so much there. It was just pure devastation. The funds raised will help replace books, notebooks, projectors, laptops, tables, chairs and anything else we can get because everything has gone. It’s immensely sad.”
To make a donation or for more information about the page, got to www.gofundme.com