Berwick Academy closed again due to storm damage

It is the second day in a row that pupils have been asked not to come into school.

Acting head teacher Steve Wilkes, in a letter to parents, said: ‘A window came loose from the upper floor of the Tower block at 1.30pm (Wednesday). The window unit fell onto grass during lesson time. Thankfully, no student was injured.

‘Whilst this was caused by exceptional weather (wind gusts of 91 mph), I felt that until we had professional advice, I was unwilling to put the health and safety of students at risk.

‘Professional assessors have been on site examining buildings, and particularly the windows in the tower block. They report that the windows on the top floor are in a dangerous state. A team of professionals are currently on site fencing off any potential fall area until the windows are fixed.’

A team of engineers is working to secure lower windows today, and depending on their findings, begin work on the upper floor.

Mr Wilkes continued: ‘Because the site is not yet safe we will close the school (on Friday) to allow contractors to complete safety and fencing work. We will be open as usual on Monday, as some work will be completed over the weekend, and any dangerous areas fenced off.’