Yahoo News Campaigners join forces over closure of North Tyneside school following structural concerns
GMB Union protests outside of North Tyneside Council offices alongside children, parents and carers have taken place following a school closure. Classes at Churchill Community College have been disrupted moved since February, after the discovery of structural issues with the building.
Union chiefs say for months the pupils' education has been disrupted with reduced access to some practical lessons, including science, music and art and design. Some have also unable to access hot school dinners for a short period or the ability to take part in school activities such as the football club.
The GMB representatives plan to take the stories of these children directly to the council and call for temporary mobile classrooms to get the children's education back on track.
Craig Thompson from GMB Union, who is also a parent at the school, said: "Us as parents are here today to send a message to the government that they must fully fund the rebuilding and restructuring of the four schools in North Tyneside that have been impacted by structural issues. We need the government funding to get these kids back to school and in normal education.
"In terms of the impact that this has on my child, at this moment in time his school setting is in an office block, and with that comes a lot of disadvantages, as he is in high school so they should be enjoying practical lessons and they aren't able to do that.
Iala Young, 13, who is a Year 8 pupil at Churchill Community College, also said: "Every day we have to travel to a different school for all of our lessons, and we are trapped in the same room all day. It has a big impact because it is harder to concentrate when you are in the same environment all of the time."
Hayley Coates, whose 11 year old son Thomas will be attending Churchill Community College next year, explained: "It's a bit of a worry, I wanted to show my support because I just feel like the kids need to be in the school, and they are missing out on so much. They are not getting their practical lessons, and with my son coming in September, I want this all sorted out by then."
Paul Germaney, who has a 14-year-old stepson and a stepdaughter that both go to the school, added: "All my stepchildren want to do is be in the classrooms and learn, it is affecting them now having to switch and move. The councillors don't seem to be giving it a second though and it's wrong."
Sarah Russell, whose daughter goes to Churchill Community College, also said: "This is a really important event for us really, I have come here today because something needs to be done about what is happening. There was so much disruption with Covid and now this, I feel for the children, the teachers and the families impacted by not being able to get into school, when is it going to end?"
North Tyneside Council previously apologised for the return to remote learning and has said it is looking to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Jon Ritchie, director of resources at North Tyneside Council, previously said: “In recent months we have worked tirelessly to keep children at Churchill, and other impacted schools, safe and in face-to-face learning, and we are disappointed to have not been able to deliver this for these pupils in the timescale we hoped.
“Temporarily using a business building allows us to maintain face-to-face learning, but adaptations must be made to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for pupils to use as an education site. This is a short-term measure during the exam period at Monkseaton High School, which meant that school could not offer the space it has over recent months and will do again from mid-June.
“One final issue was identified last week and unfortunately this has resulted in a move to remote learning. We apologise for the impact this has had on children and families and we are doing everything we can to resolve this as quickly as possible.”
