Pupils left out in stormy weather for half an hour

A faulty sensor set off the fire alarm at Strathaven Academy

Pupils at Strathaven Academy were forced to endure the effects of Storm Brendan after a faulty sensor set off the fire alarm.

Staff were left with no choice but to keep students outside in the wind and torrential rain for over half an hour while emergency services checked the building was safe.

Parents were contacted at around 2.40pm on Tuesday, December 10, after children were left soaking and some without the opportunity to get their lunch.

A text to parents, posted by one on Facebook, read: “Due to unplanned emergency evacuation - adverse weather conditions - parents can collect children from school.”

The sensor fault – which was located in the adjoining Strathaven Leisure Centre – is thought to have been caused by the adverse weather from Storm Brendan.

A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Council said: “An unplanned evacuation of staff and pupils at Strathaven Academy took place during lunchtime on Tuesday due to an alarm in the leisure centre attached to the school.

“Unfortunately despite the dreadful weather conditions staff had no options but to keep the pupils outside until emergency services responding to the alarm were able to give the all clear.

“As many of the young people were soaked through, and some had not been able to have their lunch, the decision was taken to make a group call to all parents and carers giving them the option to collect their children.

“This was a difficult situation but the staff team in the school responded entirely correctly and we are proud of how the pupils conducted themselves under the circumstances.”

“It is understood the alarm was the result of a sensor fault in the external plant room, possibly related to the weather conditions.”