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Father hits out after Hamp Infant School shut three times in two weeks

11:40am Tuesday 16th March 2010 in


A BRIDGWATER father has hit out after his sons' primary school was shut three times in under a fortnight because of a malfunctioning boiler.

Somerset County Council confirmed Hamp Infants School has been shut six times already this term - three times because of the January snow and another three times due to the boiler.

Dave Jacobs, who sons Jordan, six, and Ben, four, attend the school, believes their education could be suffering as a result and he claims there have been longstanding problems with the boiler.

Dave said: “There are stories in the news of kids not going to school but these are children who want to go to school but can't.

“I know a lot of other parents feel the same way as I do and something needs to be done about it.”

A Somerset County School spokesman said: “The school was closed on January 6, 7, 8 due to the heavy snow fall and February 23 and 24 and March 5 because of the heating.

“Indications are that the boiler dates from the early 80s, however the attached burner is not as old as that.

“This boiler and burner are fully serviceable at present, and like any other piece of complicated equipment can suffer component breakdown.

“Somerset County Council service oil-fired boilers bi-annually to industry standards. All service reports are fully checked by council engineers to ensure any issues are dealt with in a timely manner.”

DO your children go to Hamp Infant School? Have they been affected by the closures? Have your by using the comment box below.

Comments(10)

ms ratty says...
12:33pm Tue 16 Mar 10

I understand totally how you feel, My son goes to East Bridgwater they closed for nearly a week cos of the snow, last week they closed for a one to one day which was basically a parents evening spread out all day. Why? and tuesday they have an inset day. Not only is my son missing out on his education but as a working mum I'm losing money as i have to keep taking days off. The education system needs a complete shake up.

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princessmum says...
2:43pm Tue 16 Mar 10

i've had children go through the school for the past 4 year, and every year the boilers break down.
i think they could do with the funding to replace the whole system, so that they dont have to wait for part to be imported from italy every time.
how about going green, and using renewable energy?

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SPS says...
3:32pm Tue 16 Mar 10

If the school had remained open in the snow and one of his children slipped and hurt himself would Mr Jacobs be complaining about that to??
Breakdowns happen - FACT! Had his children been forced to sit in cold classrooms would Mr Jacobs be complaining about that to??

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dippy490 says...
3:43pm Tue 16 Mar 10

Well said SPS. The parents who complain are the first to take their kids out of school for holidays because it's cheaper. They don't complain about the lack of education then! If the school is shut at least everyone is at the same point - you take you kids out for a fortnight and they're two weeks behind the class.

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Donna-T says...
3:48pm Tue 16 Mar 10

One wonders if in fact this ancient boiler is quite safe, it should be ripped out all together and replaced with a modern one, childrens schools are not the place to save money..........

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Reverend says...
11:01am Wed 17 Mar 10

In response to Donna-T, is the BNP going pay for a new boiler?

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Daktari says...
7:10pm Wed 17 Mar 10

Both my children went to Hamp Infants and were affected by closures due to the boiler breaking down. My daughter is now in year 8 and my son is in year 6. Many a time have I complained about this problem especially when the boiler broke down 8 times in one term. It has been suggested that since the new build was completed that the present heating system cannot cope with the extra load. Surely this should have been factored in to the cost when the build went ahead but penny pinching prevented this and now Childrens education is being affected.

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simplyme says...
2:21pm Thu 18 Mar 10

As A Parent of young children I believe safety should come first how ever can we not just wrap the children up warmer and cope. I would also like to mention that when the school shuts for this reason it also affects Jack and Jill nursery school all around its unfair to say that no parent has a right to moan about this matter and i do strongely believe that it SHOULD have been fixed long ago.

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mebilbo says...
9:15pm Thu 18 Mar 10

i know how to fix, put calor gas heaters in each room sorry no can do health & safety - fire risk then you would have to employ technicians to light them and then turn off and change the bottles. a breakdown is a hinderance not ideal but thats life deal with it, if thats the only worry you get in life then you are lucky.
Why is it that people think that money can just be made at the drop of a pin.
they have a set budget to cover all cost, would sacking your childs teacher be good for you so that the heating can be fixed? or how about closing the family center?
this country is virtually bankrupt we have not the funds to provide for all the services we deserve nor do we deserve all the services we have .

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angrie says...
10:59am Fri 19 Mar 10

I think the main point here is that Schools should not have to budget for fundamental things like heating...... Mind you how else would we pay the politicians expenses without taking away from those who cannot stand up for themselves ie children and sick and elderly?
Should be a few callers to the door soon asking for our votes, maybe they will be able to answer - or maybe not.

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DAVE Jacobs is angry his sons Jordan and Ben have been unable to go to school six times already in 2010 - three times because a boiler failed. DAVE Jacobs is angry his sons Jordan and Ben have been unable to go to school six times already in 2010 - three times because a boiler failed.

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