A SCHOOL is to be closed for three days from Monday to enable an independent survey of the building to take place.

The decision has been made following recent inspections of the external brickwork at Hartlepool's Barnard Grove Primary School, which was completed in 2015 and funded by the Government’s Education Funding Agency.

Inspections have been carried out on behalf of the Government’s Department for Education on parts of the school building over the half term holiday. However, Hartlepool Borough Council is calling for a full and independent survey of the entire building to enable an informed decision to be made about the safety of all children and staff.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, the Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “I am extremely angry and disappointed we have been forced to take this decision and I would like to apologise to the children, their parents, staff and the wider community.

“This school was funded by the Government’s Education Funding Agency who commissioned the contractor, technical advisor and architect and was signed off by an Independent Building Inspector, not a Local Authority Building Inspector.

“Responsibility lies firmly with the Government and we are pushing them to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.

“We fully understand and share people’s anger and frustration at the situation. However, our only concern is the safety of all children and staff.”

Parents and carers are being notified of the closure and it is hoped the school will reopen on Thursday, November 8.