School forced to remain closed due to flooding
GoogleA school has been forced to remain closed after the Christmas holidays due to flooding.
Gilbert Ward Academy in Blyth, Northumberland, will be shut on Monday and Tuesday due to damage caused by a leaky boiler during the festive break.
Operated by the Prosper Learning Trust, the free school is for children aged 11-16 with social, emotional and mental health needs, and autism.
A spokeswoman for the trust said: "Parents have been informed. When we are back to full staff on Monday 5 January, staff will assess the damage and we will provide a further update regarding the rest of next week."
The school said the leak happened when no-one was in the building and was not discovered until Boxing Day when the alarms were activated.
Gilbert Ward has capacity for 80 children and was built in 2023 on the site of the demolished Princess Louise First School, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
It is named after Dr Gilbert Ward, who helped set up Blyth's first hospital and was known for treating survivors of the New Hartley pit disaster.
It follows the news Mowbray Primary School in Stakeford will also remain closed, after the building was deemed unsafe following the discovery of cracks in the structure.
