HAYGROVE School in Bridgwater has been recommended to close today as Storm Ciarán wreaks havoc across Sedgemoor and the South West.

The Department for Education recommended the school to close in order to protect the safety of students and staff.

Once again, the school's structurally unsafe main building posed an issue, as students relocated to temporary classrooms on the site were believed to be at risk due to predicted strong winds.

In a letter written to parents, Haygrove School stated: "We have now also been advised that the temporary accommodation implemented (M block at the main school site and Haygrove Campus at BTC) to provide additional space due the main school building closure, may also be affected by strong winds and the DfE have advised that the forecasted very strong wind exceeds the recommended limits from the building provider."

School representatives also stated they will "need to reassess" whether the school can re-open as normal on Monday, November 6, due to the unpredictability of the weather.

The full letter to parents can be read below.

"Dear Parents and Carers,

"It is with great disappointment we must write to you today to say the Department for Education (DfE) has recommended we temporarily close the school site (Durleigh Road) and the Haygrove Campus at Bridgwater & Taunton College on Thursday 2 November 2023, due to the named storm (Ciarán) which is expected to affect our region.

"As you will know, the main school building is closed due to issues with structural integrity, which could potentially be impacted by adverse weather conditions. We have been assured by the DfE that once the current work underway to scaffold and wrap the main school building is complete, risk to the structure due to adverse weather will be mitigated.

"However we have now also been advised that the temporary accommodation implemented (M block at the main school site and Haygrove Campus at BTC) to provide additional space due the main school building closure, may also be affected by strong winds and the DfE have advised that the forecasted very strong wind exceeds the recommended limits from the building provider.

"The health and safety of our students and staff is our absolute top priority, which is why we must close the both school sites on Thursday to ensure we are taking every possible precautionary measure as part of our robust health and safety procedures during this unprecedented situation.

"We are very sorry for the challenges this temporary closure will have on the families of students, we realise this is far from ideal. All students will receive remote learning for Thursday through the Arbor system.

"Students in receipt of free school meals will be able to collect a meal from the canteen on Wednesday. 

"At the moment, we expect to only have the school sites closed on Thursday 2 November, however, as the weather is unpredictable, we will need to reassess whether we are able to open as normal on Monday 6 November as the situation unfolds and we will update you as soon as we possibly can.

"As a result of school closure on Thursday, we will have to reschedule our Pathways Evening for Year 9. We will write to Year 9 parents separately with a decision as to which date this will be moved to as soon as possible.

"We really do share your frustration with this situation and thank you again as always for your continued support. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority and we will always do what we need to do to ensure everyone remains safe."