UPDATE: Chichester High School issues statement over emergency closure

Chichester High School has issued a statement about the '˜difficult decision' to make an emergency closure of the school today due to a chemical '˜hazard'.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Nov 2016, 14:50 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 00:39 BST

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Chichester High School for Girls. Photo by Louise Adams C130126-2 Chi Stock Chi High Girls ENGSUS00120130129142853Chichester High School for Girls. Photo by Louise Adams C130126-2 Chi Stock Chi High Girls ENGSUS00120130129142853
Chichester High School for Girls. Photo by Louise Adams C130126-2 Chi Stock Chi High Girls ENGSUS00120130129142853

Students and parents were informed of the closure last night after a potentially hazardous A-Level chemistry substance was identified at the high school.

The deteriorated 2,4-DNPH was found yesterday following an advisory note to schools to check how the substance was stored, and has since been destroyed on West Wittering beach.

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Executive principal Yasmin Maskatiya wrote: “Our commitment to safeguarding our pupils and staff was at the centre of the difficult decision to shut Chichester High School today.

“This decision was based on several complex and well informed reasons.

“We were not sure of when the police were going to be able to deal with the issue and had to make a decision based on the

information we had.

“The two buildings affected would have meant it would have been very difficult to re-locate a significant number of students away from the affected classroom areas.

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“Informing parents and carers in a timely manner had to be another priority and we are very grateful to our parent body for the positive support they have shown us during this event.

“We are also grateful to Mr Taunt and his staff at Bishop Luffa School for the kind hospitality they have shown to a small group of our students completing an exam this morning.

“We are delighted to report that the chemicals were safely removed and that we will be open fully tomorrow, Friday 4th November.”

Read More
UPDATE: Controlled explosion of hazardous school lab chemical on West Wittering ...

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