Flood damaged school prepares for autumn term

The head of Joseph Swan Academy says the school will be ready to re-open for the autumn term, despite being hit twice this summer by flooding. Water gushed into the school, in Gateshead, after the torrential storm on 28th June.

Twenty five classrooms, the sports hall, gym and assembly hall were among the areas left shin-deep in contaminated water.

Since then, work has been taking place to clean, dry and refurbish the school, which has 1200 pupils and 150 staff.

There was a setback at the start of August when a second flood caused more damage. The refurbishments are not yet complete. Even so, the head teacher Allan Fuller says the school will be ready to welcome pupils in the first week in September.

"Our staff and students have done amazingly well during a very challenging period. Their determination and commitment to succeed has been remarkable, and, just like the Olympic spirit, this is something that I'd like to bottle and carry through into our studies next year."

The priority now is ensuring the same thing doesn't happen again. In the short term, flood walls will be built to protect the school. Longer term, the school is planning to build a tank, or reservoir, to hold flood water.