UK Primary School reopens after asbestos scare

York, U.K. – Wigginton Primary School officially reopened this week after an asbestos scare delayed the initial return date. The school was scheduled to reopen from holiday vacation on January 7th. However, during a structural inspection conducted over the holidays, engineers discovered that there was an asbestos problem in the building.

School officials worked with the Health and Safety Executive to get the situation dealt with as quickly as possible. After careful assessment, the HSE gave the City of York Council approval to begin the asbestos removal process.

Most parents and children were notified to stay away while the building underwent asbestos removal and decontamination. Not all 247 students were affected, however. Years 5 and 6 students were still able to attend their classes which were located in areas well away from the contaminated zone and were deemed not at risk. Students in Years 1-4, however, were relocated off-site to make-shift classrooms on other school campuses nearby.

A York council spokesperson announced that all affected areas in the school have been completely decontaminated, although did not comment on how much asbestos was found in the building.

Wigginton school officials commended their students for responding well and making the best of the situation. The students were reported to have been on good behavior and had a great attitude while attending classes away from their main school by officials from the campuses they attended during the interim period. However, Wigginton teachers say the students seemed very excited to be reunited with their friends again after the school reopened.

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