Children left ‘shocked and devastated’ as vandals cause damage at primary school

Vandals have attacked a forest school, causing upset for children and dismay for staff.

The damage occurred at the facility created by St Stephen’s Junior School in Canterbury, where pupils enjoy learning outdoor skills, from using tools and making camp fires to tying knots and building shelters.

But on Thursday night, two parachute-type canopies, used as shelters for the children and teachers in poor weather, were both cut down and slashed.

The damage was discovered on Friday morning when Year 4 teacher and forest school leader Leo Chamberlain took a group of 25 pupils to the site

“The children are devastated and I am very upset and shocked,” he said. “It will also cost around £100 to replace the canopies.”

The site is at the bottom of the school field and runs parallel to the Bird Cage Walk path.

“Sadly this is not the first time people using this path have negatively affected our forest school,” said Mr Chamberlain. “People regularly throw rubbish into our site, including cans and bottles.

“He was a genuinely nice guy, there were about 300 people who came out to his funeral. “I will always love him.” Others took to the internet to pay tribute, with one friend writing: “He was a ray of light on a dark day. Was taken far too soon.”

Another added: “Sad to see him go so young. Will miss his cheeky smile.”

A fundraising page has been set up to raise money Mr Cox’s two daughters.