School shuts after concrete blocks fall in playground
APRIMARY has had to be closed after blocks of concrete fell from a structure in the playground.
Parents who attended a meeting with governorsat Lydiate Primary School said teachers were in tears after hearing the newsabout the future of the school.
During the meeting, parents were shown lumps of concrete weighing about 11lbthat had fallen 30ft from a structure in the playground that supports classrooms above.
They were discovered by a new caretaker and raised concerns with the school governors who confirmed verbally with Sefton Council staff that they could cause a fatality.
Governors shut the school on Friday November 22 with more than 300 pupils not expected to be able to re-enter the building until the soonest date of Monday December 9.
The school apologised to parents for the inconvenience but said they would not put the safety of pupils and teachers at risk.
The closure has affected its nursery, Little Buds, and after school programme, Fun4Kids.
Pupils and teachers were placed in Maghull High School in Ormonde Drive from Thursday,
November 28 with parents being kept up to date via an app used by the school. The move is only a temporary measure as they wait for the results of a survey funded by Sefton Council.
A council spokesman said: “Lydiate Primary School will remain closed while we work on a joint solution to the issues raised.
“As an interim measure, Sefton Council has been able to secure temporary accommodation for the pupils and staff of Lydiate Primary School.
“Maghull High School has agreed to accommodate all Lydiate pupils and teachers with effect from Thursday, November 28, while arrangements are made so that they are able to move back in to their school as soon as possible. Updates from Lydiate Primary will be provided to parents and carers via normal communication channels.”
One dad, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “We still don’t know what the extent of the damage is or what repairs will be needed. We’ve had no assurances or information from the council other than they say it’s safe.
“They had slabs of concrete out for parents to see at the meeting. Some of them looked like they weighed about 5kg – and these had fallen some 30ft from a structure in the playground that supports classrooms above.
“Teachers were in tears. The pictures [we] were shown looked like a derelict school, it was harrowing.”
Labour Parliamentary candidate for Sefton Central Bill Esterson and local councillor John Sayers worked to find alternative arrangements for the school along with Sefton Council.
Mr Esterson said: “This must be a very worrying time for parents and carers. Local councillor John Sayers is also supporting the school and parents and carers.
“If I am re-elected I shall be pressing the Government for the funds needed for new, safe classrooms and other facilities for the children.
“I shall also be asking for an enquiry into how and why this happened. The safety of the children and staff is the immediate priority as is finding somewhere for the children to go to school.”