A WARRINGTON school will close for the remainder of the week to all but two-year groups following damage caused by Storm Jocelyn.

Great Sankey High School announced its closure this morning, Wednesday, after high winds caused damage to one of the buildings on the school grounds.

The school was forced to evacuate all its students ‘quickly’ and ‘calmly’ and an area of the site was cordoned off to assess the damage.

Head teacher Gary Evans expressed his thanks to the parents and pupils for how the evacuation was handled.

“Firstly, can we thank you all for your assistance this morning. We were able to evacuate students off the school site quickly and in a very calm atmosphere and your part in the process was important.

“The students were a credit to you. As our message this morning explained, the storm we experienced last night meant that we had to cordon off a section of the school that students rely on to circulate around the site safely.

“This meant we had to take the unfortunate decision to send students home.”

A further update was given to parents this afternoon to say the school will remain closed this week to all year groups accept year 11 and year 13 and a small cohort of vulnerable children.

A spokesperson from the school said: “The school site will be safe for the number of students expected to attend and this will allow lessons to continue for students in exam year groups.

“A large area of the site will be cordoned off to ensure their safety and this will not impact on lessons.”

Students will be provided work to complete online from home, the school confirmed.

And attendance of pupils will not be affected by the temporary closure.

Plans for the following week are yet to be confirmed but will be communicated with parents in due course.

Onsite provision will be made available for year 11 and 13, as well as vulnerable students who will be attended the campus.

All lessons will take place in the main building or sports hall only.

“The sixth form building will be closed. Students will be able to use the dining room in the primary diner at break and lunch.”

Year 11 students are asked to arrive at 8.20am via the entrance near Reception on the site.

Meanwhile Year 11 students are being asked to arrive through the blue gate turnstile near reception.

The Livewire entrance and turnstile will not be open.

Great Sankey High have confirmed the planned parents evening will also go ahead as planned on Thursday.