Gavin Mackintosh-
A failing West Sussex secondary school has been destroyed by fire. The blaze which broke out about 08:00 BST, with more than 75 firefighters tackling the blaze at Selsey Academy in school lane. The towering black smoke was an eye sore.
The mixed secondary school comprises of 453 students between the ages of 11 and 16 was rated inadequate by an OFSTED inspection in March 2013.
A further inspection the following year in 2014, was more favorable and changed it from inadequate to “requires improvement”. only 47 % of the school gained five or more A star to C passes, including Maths and English.
The eye of media. com learned that the school has had several reports of bullying and truancy over the years. Defiance to teachers authority is also a common occurrence in the school.
A local told the eye of media.com “it is quite possible somebody had the hump and chucked a petrol bomb on it. There has not yet been any official confirmation of whether it was an Arson or not.”
TWEET
Members of Selsey Football Club nearby tweeted footage of the devouring flames, as knowledge of the pervasive fire spread across the town. The failing school has now been reduced to a shell of its former self.
As residents were instructed to stay away from the smoke, crowds nevertheless gathered to spectate at the flames and the brave professional efforts of firefighters to stem it’s spread and quench the fire.
The school is the only secondary school in the area and will be a big blow to the community.
However, the Chairman of governors, Bill Emerson, told reporters that “contingency plans have been put in place to pick up their G.C.S.e results on Thursday and make sure we can provide education to children when they start the school year”.
The school will have quite some work on its hands to make up for the huge damage done to its buildings. Many parents would rather send their children to another school if they can.