A County Durham school has been forced to close with pupils sent home after an issue with the heating and kitchen.

Greenfield Community College in Newton Aycliffe was forced to send students home just 15 minutes into the school day after the issue arose.

Parents received an email at 9am, telling them that the school had made the decision to close and apologising for the late notice.

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The email, seen by The Northern Echo, said: “Unfortunately we have issues with the school heating and kitchen, and we have needed to make the decision to close the school.

“Provision is being made to provide transport for those that would normally get the bus, and for those living outside the area, transport will be provided.

“Those that are unable to go offsite will remain at school, however, we would prefer if provisions could be made.

“We will update you as soon as we have more information. Apologies for the late notice.”

The letter add that a Year 11 Parents’ Evening scheduled for Monday (January 9) had also been cancelled.

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Students returned to the Aycliffe school after Christmas break on Wednesday (January 4) last week.

It is not currently known whether the school will reopen to pupils tomorrow.

The Northern Echo has contacted Greenfield Community College for an update.

It comes as a Darlington Primary school was also forced to close on Monday.

Pupils at High Coniscliffe CE Primary School in Darlington also faced an extra day off after the school reported an electrical fault which meant the site was unable to open.

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