Primary school closes after stormy problem

Feb 1 2008 by Jean Parry, South Wales Echo

ABOUT 200 children were sent home from a South Wales school after severe weather battered their buildings.

In one temporary classroom at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg, Gilfach, Bargoed, a heavy ceiling tile crashed onto a chair where a small child had been sitting just a short time before.

The roof damage also caused a shower of dust to cascade down leaving other children coughing and spluttering yesterday morning.

For health and safety reasons, headteacher Dilys Williams sent children home.

And after Caerphilly council later inspected the building, it was decided the school would not re-open until Monday.

Mrs Williams said: “Water was coming in through the roof and mixing with the electrics and in one of the classrooms dust was everywhere. Rain was coming through all the windows then one of the ceiling tiles lifted and crashed down where a child had been sitting.”

One of the parents, who did not want to be named, said many who had children at the school were angry that the building is in a state of disrepair when, he said, millions are being spent down the road on a new headquarters for Caerphilly council.

He said: “It’s disgusting that the excellent staff have to try and deliver 21st century education in a 19th century building.”

Kevin Viney, chairman of the governors, said: “We have been pleading with the council to keep the building properly. There are two terrapins in the yard which are supposed to be temporary but they have been there for years. There is an empty, new school building at Penallta. Why can’t the council bus our children there temporarily while their own school is refurbished?”

A spokesman for the council said: “The recent bad weather led to water entering the building and a decision was taken to close the school.

“Parents were contacted and pupils were looked after until they were collected.

“Roofing works are on-going at the site and work will now be undertaken to urgently address the issue over the next few days.”

jean.parry@mediawales.co.uk