Water leak forces school to close for the week

Nether Stowe School in Lichfield would be closed until the end of the week, staff said

A school has been forced to close for the rest of this week after a large water leak left it without toilet facilities.

In a statement posted online, staff apologised for the disruption for parents and pupils of Nether Stowe School in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

The leak was found on Monday and the water system had to be drained to allow repairs to be carried out.

The decision to shut the school was not taken lightly but had to be done for the safety of students and staff, a spokesperson added.

Head teacher Kirsty Jones said specialist contractors were working to repair the leak as quickly as possible and she would share further updates when possible.

"It is always a last resort to close any school. The entire Nether Stowe team understand the inconvenience and disruption this may have caused," she said.

Lichfield MP Dave Robertson said he had been contacted by parents about the issue.

"This is the second such incident this year and I've asked what long-term plans are in place to prevent further closures," Robertson said.

In a letter sent to school leaders, he added: "Whilst we all know that unexpected events do happen from time to time, the community will obviously be concerned at a second unexpected closure in such a short space of time."

"We will be advising all parents and carers of the arrangements for learning later this evening," a school spokesperson said.

Parents would be kept updated via the school website and official emails, they added.