Egglescliffe school evacuated due to storm damage after students placed on 'lockdown'

Storm Eowyn - concern over the roof at Egglescliffe School and Sixth Form College, in Urlay Nook Road, Stockton
-Credit:Terry Blackburn/Teesside Live


A school has been evacuated due to roof and scaffolding storm damage after its students and staff were placed on 'lockdown'.

Egglescliffe School and Sixth Form College, in Urlay Nook Road, sent out correspondence to parents after debris began blowing from its roof. The school was initially placed on "lockdown", said the staff in an email to parents, before then having to evacuate.

An inital message to parents and carers said: "We are currently in lockdown at Egglescliffe School as a precautionary measure. Please do not worry, this is due to damage caused by the wind, we are working with the emergency services. Please do not call school or turn up to collect your child, they are safe in school. More updates will follow in due course."

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE: Tree crumples car outside owner's home after Storm Eowyn wreaks havoc on Teesside

READ MORE: 'Stolen' Jag-flip drama after 45-minute police and helicopter pursuit

This was then followed up with details of how the school was being forced to close, with transport being arranged.

It read: "We would like to confirm there is no need to worry, all students and staff are safe. Unfortunately, after advice from police and fire brigade we will have to evacuate and close the school; this will be carefully managed over the next hour or so to ensure we keep everyone safe with the support from the emergency services.

"School buses are on route to transport students home who would normally use this service. Buses are expected around 12:30pm. Parents who are able to collect their child, can do so from Sainsbury's (not Tesco or from the school). Please ensure you follow police and fire guidance as you approach the school.

ADVERTISEMENT

"If your child normally walks home from school we have been advised that they will be able to do so but will need to follow the designated route from the emergency services. Please feel free to contact your child via their mobile phone to make arrangements with them, if you can send a text to confirm you are happy for us to release them from school, we will do so once it is safe

"As you can appreciate this situation is complex; however, we would like to reiterate that students and staff are safe. We acknowledge that this may be inconvenient for some students who need to remain on site, please rest assured that safe provision is in place for them until the end of the school day.

"Thank you for your patience and understanding."

A Cleveland Fire Brigade spokesperson said crews were called to the school at 11.44am with two fire engines in attendance from Stockton and Thornaby.

They said: "Scaffolding coming down due to strong winds. Police in attendance for road closure. Crews at the scene on protective standby."

Storm Eowyn: Bricks have fallen from The Red Lion pub in Stockton, leading to closure of Ramsgate
Storm Eowyn: Bricks have fallen from The Red Lion pub in Stockton, leading to closure of Ramsgate -Credit:Terry Blackburn/Teesside Live

Meanwhile, in Stockton firefighters were called to The Red Lion pub where bricks were falling from the roof and the area around the building in Ramsgate has been closed off.

ADVERTISEMENT

A spokesperson for Cleveland Fire Brigade said: "Cleveland Fire Brigade were called on 24/01/2025 at 12.15pm to an incident on Ramsgate in Stockton. One fire engine from Billingham in attendance. Large number of bricks fallen on to road. Crews on protective standby."

In Hartlepool some of the shops in Wynyard Road have had to close due to a cordon being put in place after tiles were blowing off the roofs.

Multiple incidents have been reported which you can read more about in our live blog here.

For breaking news in your area direct to your inbox every day, go here to sign up to our free newsletter