YOUNG vandals have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a local primary school over a sustained period of time - prompting the headteacher to call on the community for support.
Shawlands Primary School, based on Shaw Street in Kingstone, has been the target of vandalism over the past month - and it’s believed the young vandals have caused in excess of £20,000 of damage in that time.
Young children have been climbing onto the roof of the school, with several glass panels smashed by the kids as well as a number of windows.
Claire Athorn, the school’s headteacher, told the Chronicle: “This has been happening for around six or seven weeks now.
“It’s just escalated recently and we want to try and raise some awareness about it.
“On the last week of term we were unable to feed our children with a hot meal as they had damaged the extractor fan on the roof.
“They’ve smashed windows and roof panels - I’ve been in school until 10pm at night trying to make sure we can get everything fixed.”
Claire believes the vandals find what they’re doing funny but feels there is little the school, or the police, can do unless they are caught in the act.
“We’re looking at this costing about £20,000 to £30,000,” she added.
“This has had a significant impact on school and if we had been in term time we would have had to close as the damage was so bad and the roof wasn’t safe.
“We had this boarded up - again at a cost to school.
“They returned on Tuesday last week and caused further significant damage to more glass.
“They have ripped down the CCTV and used this to smash our windows.
“The police have been involved several times and we have names and photos of children on the roof.
“But I feel there is little that can be done unless they are caught in the act.”
Sarah Daniels, the Neighbourhood Policing Team Segreant, said that police have increased patrols in the area.
She added: “This is not a case of kids being kids, a serious amount of damage has now been caused to Shawlands Primary School, and it will not be tolerated.
“Children should feel safe when they go to school, and parents should be confident that learning will not be disrupted by criminal behaviour.
“We will respond robustly to any reports of criminal damage and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.
“If anyone has information about the recent incidents of criminal damage at Shawlands Primary School, please get in touch by calling 101 quoting investigation number 14/133400/24.”
Coun Steve Bullcock, who represents the Kingstone ward, told the Chronicle he and his fellow ward councillors - Couns Phil Wright and Kath Mitchell - have written to Barnsley Council in hopes they will be able to provide some emergency funding to support the school.
He added: “I think that I can speak on behalf of all the councillors that this needs to be stopped.
“It’s just unacceptable.
“We’ve asked the council if they would be able to distribute some emergency funds to the school.
“It’s just ridiculous that this is happening and we all feel so bad about it.
“It’s a school in our community that is being attacked and they need our help.”
Coun Trevor Cave, cabinet spokesperson for children’s services, told the Chronicle the council are exploring all options to support the school.
He added: “The criminal damage carried out at Shawlands Primary School is incredibly disappointing and frustrating.
“These mindless acts are causing significant and costly damage to the school, and putting children’s learning and development opportunities at risk.
“We are working closely with the school to look at funding options to repair the damage.
“We don't tolerate such acts of vandalism in our beautiful borough and we encourage all our residents to report their concerns to us at safer@barnsley.gov.uk or the police.”
