Cable theft leaves hundreds unable to attend school

Hundreds of pupils at Sevenoaks Primary School currently will not be able to return to the building at the start of term

Hundreds of children will not be able to return to a Kent primary school this week after cable thefts left the building unsafe.

In a letter to parents, Sevenoaks Primary School said vandals had stolen cables from a temporary generator used by the school following a power cut at the end of last term.

Pupils in Reception, Years 1, 2 and 6 will be able to return to the school for the start of term, but those in Years 3-5 have been told to stay at home until further notice.

KCC said its officers had been supporting the head teacher and chair of governors at the school following the "significant vandalism of a power generator".

Problems began at the school at the end of last term when a power cut left the school needing to use a temporary generator.

A nearby gas leak prevented UK Power Networks from completing the work when expected and vandals then stole the earth and neutral cabling from the temporary generator.

This caused uncontrolled electricity to be pumped throughout the building, leading to electrical fires and damage which left the building unsafe.

Children in Reception and Year 1 will be able to use the school as usual in parts of the building which are not damaged.

In a post on social media, Sevenoaks MP Laura Trott said she was "deeply concerned" to hear about the theft and fires, calling it "an incredibly disruptive and stressful time for teachers, parents and pupils".

Lucy, who has two children at the school, says some parents will be left "up the creek"

Lucy, who has two children at the school, said: "Our children are entitled to an education and if they can't be educated here then where are Kent County Council going to educate [them]?

"I'm dreading having to do my Year 4 maths because I'm hopeless at maths. How are parents who have English as a second language meant to do that, or if people have three or four kids but one computer?

"A lot of parents will be really up the creek with this."

Commenting under Laura Trott's post, another parent said: "I must express how significantly this situation has impacted my family.

"With both of my children now being required to learn from home for a minimum of three weeks, I am faced with the challenge of balancing full-time work commitments alongside the responsibility of supporting their education.

"The practical reality for working parents is extremely challenging."

In a letter seen by the BBC, parents were told on Thursday that repairs had meant the building could partially reopen, allowing Year 2 and 6 pupils back for the start of term.

A KCC spokesperson said: "KCC officers and colleagues within Sevenoaks Primary School have been working continuously throughout the holiday period to ensure the requisite repairs and safety checks are carried out.

"Work is continuing on further repairs to ensure pupils starting in Years 3, 4 and 5 can return as soon as it is safe to do so."

It said families had been contacted by the school with full details of the return for their children.