A primary school in Sutton Coldfield had to close its doors to students after the Easter break due to a problem with its heating system. The majority of students at New Hall Primary School on Langley Hall Drive were unable to return this week owing to a boiler malfunction.
The school, which had 331 students on its roll at the last Ofsted inspection, initially informed parents that students would be unable to attend for two weeks, until April 22. However, two year groups have been allowed to return to school on Thursday (April 11).
Other year groups have been accommodated at nearby schools, including Whitehouse Common and Wylde Green Primary. Concerned residents contacted Sutton Reddicap councillor Richard Parkin (Cons.) on the closure. Cllr Parkin told BirminghamLive: “My concern was that the children will be off for two more weeks after the Easter break.
The school sent a letter stating that it will be closed until April 22. Parents informed me they were concerned about having to care for their children for another two weeks while they had work commitments, and one told me they had lost money as a result.”
Becci Breedon, an apologetic headteacher, wrote to parents and carers on Wednesday (April 10) in a letter seen by BirminghamLive, saying: “I am really sorry to inform you that the temporary fix, which would have allowed us to open whilst our boiler is fixed, has failed. This indicates that the school will most likely be closed to students until about Monday, April 22.
“I have contacted local primary schools to see if they can accommodate us. Three schools within a three-mile radius have been able to offer us temporary housing.
“I understand that some of you may not be able to transport your children to one of these schools, so home learning will continue to be given alongside school-based learning.
“We therefore want to offer this interim option to students beginning tomorrow (April 11). We have a single washbasin hot water heater that can handle a modest year group. As a result, starting tomorrow, only reception students will be permitted to attend New Hall Primary as usual.
Birmingham City Council has now announced that the school hopes to get the boiler fixed on Thursday (April 11) and tested on Friday (April 12), with a full school return next week.
A representative for the council stated: “Due to a boiler failure at New Hall Primary School, students did not return to school after the Easter holidays.” Remote learning has been implemented, and we are grateful to adjacent schools for accommodating students in recent days.
“Reception and Year 6 students returned to the school grounds on Thursday, April 11th. Emergency repair is being done at the school today and will be tested tomorrow. We hope that every student will be able to return to the school on Monday 15th April.
We apologise for the disruption caused to children and families this week and will contact them as soon as possible to confirm the arrangements beginning Monday.
Cllr Parkin added: “It’s encouraging that the council has moved the entire return date up by a week from what was initially expected. But it’s upsetting that they’ve taken a week to repair a boiler.”
