Pupils were ‘hosed down’ over asbestos risk at old school

Students had to be sent to an emergency van to be cleaned when suspected asbestos dust fell on them from their school building.

The extent of problems at the old Hetton School site was heard by the House of Commons as its leaders told its Public Accounts Committee of the issues faced while waiting for it to be rebuilt. The plans were delayed following the collapse of the deal that was meant to financially back the project.

On the invitation of Houghton and Sunderland South MP Bridget Phillipson, acting headteacher Craig Knowles and former headteacher Phil Keay presented evidence to MPs.

The meeting looked at capital spending for schools and scrutinised the Department for Education and Education Funding Agency and heard how the school’s state led it to being shut on several occasions.

Speaking of the asbestos issues, Mr Keay said: “We had two or three cases we had to close off the school and students had to in fact had to go into the de-fumigation van, an emergency van, to make sure they were de-dusted and hosed down and cleaned, and it really was that serious.

“It was not a building that was fit to have children in it for several years really, prior to its closure and us moving to the new building.”

Mr Knowles said: “We do have a good new building, it’s not without its continuing issues, but all those issues that I’ve mentioned they’re not there any more. “It’s a fantastic environment for young people to go about their work, to progress, to achieve, and it’s great for the staff was well.”