Storm Ciara: Hove school closed all week due to storm damage

On Monday, King’s School in Hangleton Way, Hove, said it would be closed after 'signifcant damage' from Storm Ciara, which buffeted the Sussex coastline with gale force winds on Sunday and prompted the Met Office to issue an amber weather warning.

According to the school, high winds caused damage to the roof and guttering, resulting in loose brickwork at the site which opened in September 2019.

Today (February 11), the Christian secondary school announced it would be shut all week to students for safety reasons.

Sarah Price, King’s School headteacher, said safety of students had to be put first. She said: “Although we deeply regret the loss of learning, and inconvenience to parents, caused through this enforced school closure due to the damage we have suffered in Storm Ciara, our priority must be the safety of our school community."

For approximately 850 Kings’ students in Years 7, 8 and 9, the closure will mean a two-week break from school, since the half term break starts next Monday, February 17.

Pupils are due to return on Monday, February 24. However, for those students affected, lesson plans have been emailed to them by teachers so their learning continues during the closure.

To minimise disruption for older students who wil be sitting exams in the summer, the school has arranged for Years 10 and 11 to be taught at two other Hove schools this week: Hove Park and Blatchington Mill in Nevill Avenue, Hove.

Hove Park headteacher Jim Roberts said: “In the spirit of community I believe it is important we reach out and support another local school at a time of difficulty."

One hundred Kings pupils in Year 10 will be taught at Hove Park School this week from Tuesday to Friday, taking over four classrooms in the sixth form area.

Year 11 pupils are being taught at Blatchington Mill School from Tuesday to Friday this week.

Staff at King’s School tweeted their thanks to both schools today. The tweet said: “We are up and running at Hove Park and Blatchington Mill! Excellent attendance from students; thank you for all your support and to our colleagues”.