School closed over chalk-mine alert

A primary school has been forced to close amid fears that it could collapse into a 19th-century chalk mine.

Pinner Wood School, in north London, was shut down yesterday by Harrow council after geotechnical surveys detected the old mine workings beneath its playground.

Laser imaging of these previously “uncharted and unknown” tunnels showed they stretch under school buildings and the mine roofs have collapsed in certain places and are likely to open up new surface holes at some point that could swallow the entire building.

Deb Spruce, the school’s head teacher, said: “This is a huge and sudden shock to all of us. I’m certain we will all rise to this challenge.”