Parents angry at delay in school gas repair

The mains gas supply to the science block at Hummerknot School in Darlington was disconnected last summer after a gas leak and is still cut off.

Parents are now demanding to know why some students have been left without the chance to do practical experiments because repair work has not been carried out.

One mother, who did not want to be named, said: "It is ridiculous that our children can't do science experiments when pupils at other schools will be getting the benefit of equipment.

"They are just having to watch teachers carry out the experiments which isn't the same.

"It must be effecting those pupils doing exams and even those who don't have exams to take this year will need to be preparing for them."

There have also been concerns that the reason for the delay in repair work is a lack of funding for the school.

"Why should a child's education suffer because the school can't afford to make a basic repair? It is appalling how little money schools have," said one parent.

A spokeswoman for Darlington Education Authority said the school had brought in portable equipment so science lessons could continue.

She said: "Every effort is being made to ensure GCSE science students do not suffer because of the gas supply problem.

"The portable gas burners can be used by Year 10 and 11 under supervision and these are the pupils who are taking exams.

"However, for safety reasons the younger pupils can't do experiments at the moment but they can watch demonstrations by a teacher."

The spokeswoman said repair work was being carried out on the gas supply and it was hoped it would be finished by the start of the new school year.

She refused to say whether the delay to repairs was due to a shortage of money at the school, but said that all schools were given specific funds to deal with emergency repairs.

She stressed that it was up to individual schools to decide how to spend that money.