Don’t panic, we’re getting used to this

Reporter: Lucy Kenderdine
Date published: 19 June 2014


A PRIMARY school was closed yesterday after an empty Second World War shell was unearthed on the site — the second incident in two weeks.

The latest drama unfolded at Yew Tree Community School, Alcester Street, Chadderton, when shocked builders found the suspicious device while working on an extension, shortly before 8am.

Before bomb disposal experts arrived parents were informed of the school’s closure and around 30 children, at the school for breakfast club, waited anxiously to be collected.

Headteacher Martine Buckley said: “We quickly called parents to tell them school would not be opening.

“Staff were taken to our partner site at Mather Street School and worked there.

“There is still more work to be done on the site so I hope they don’t find any more objects.”

The school, which has stood on the site since 1954, reopened this morning.

It is the second time in quick succession the police have been called to the school to investigate a Second World War object.