Glass-crash in academy foyer

Safety: Roof panel shatters on floor around half an hour after pupils left

An island secondary school was closed yesterday after a glass roof pane fell and shattered in the foyer just minutesafter the pupils left for the day.

The incident happened at Stromness Academy, in Orkney, at some time between 3.45pm and 4pm on Wednesday, with the youngsters having gone home at 3.25pm.

It forced the local authority to shut the school yesterday while inspections of the damage were carried out, although pupils are expected to return today.

The cause of the damage remains unknown, although the council suggested that a “sudden and unusual rise in temperature” might have been to blame. A safety net is being put up in the foyer area as a precaution.

AnOrkney IslandsCouncil spokeswoman said: “The school was closed today after a pane from the glass roof in the foyer shattered and fell to the ground, after the school had closed for the day.

“The pane was an internal panel made of safety glass, similar to that of a car rear window and so had fragmented into many small pieces before falling.

“Council staff were immediately on site to assess the situationandthe school was closed as a precaution.

“The exact cause of the breakage is unknown at present, but it is thought that the sudden and unusual rise in temperature yesterday afternoon could have played a part.

“Indications are that this is a very unusual occurrence and is unlikely to happen again.”

She added that the council was taking steps “precautionary protection is put in place”, and that the school will reopen today with limited access to the foyer area while work is completed to place a temporary safety net around the glass roof.

“Meanwhile, the council’s development and infrastructure team are investigating longer- term solutions for the roof and any other council buildings with similar glass roofs will also be inspected as a precautionary measure,” the spokeswoman said.

Orkney MP Alistair Carmichael’s son attends the school.

He said: “As a parent, I would want some reassurance that this was unforeseen and unforeseeable and that the maintenance of the building was properly attended to.

“But, like most local people, I would expect this to be a one-off incident because, in general, our schools are safe environments.”

MISHAP: Orkney Islands Council has suggested that a sudden rise in temperature may have caused the pane of glass to fall from the roof of Stromness Academy

Safety work was under way at the school yesterday so that pupils could return