Woodland area set on fire by vandals

A woodland area used by primary school pupils for outdoor learning has been targeted and set on fire by vandals.

Emergency services were called to the blaze at New Sea ham Academy’ s woodlands area shortly before 7pm on Saturday.

It is understood that vandals had set fire to logs within the wooded area at the school on Byron Terrace.

Headteacher Bernadette Dolan has spoke about how the area is an integral part of the school’s curriculum and the outpouring of support that the school has received since the incident.

She said: “We use the woodlands area of the school for outdoor learning all-year round, obviously lockdown has already had a big impact on that but it is a key part of the curriculum.

"Thankfully the fire brigade were able to extinguish the fire quickly or it could have been a lot worse and we already have plans in place to remove the charred ground and unsafe wood.

"The woodlands are extensive and we will be able to continue to use the area as repair work is carried out.

"It’s a cost that we don’t need but we are getting by, we’ ve had so many offers of support from the parents and local community and I can’t thank them enough.”

A Durham Constabulary spokesperson commented: “Police were called at 6.55 pm on Saturda to reports of a fire at an activity play area at New Seaham Academy.

“Colleagues from the fire service were also called to extinguish the blaze.

"Anyone with any information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 393 of March 27."