School panel plunge drama

Waterhead Academy... a piece came off the building (top right).

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HUNDREDS of pupils were sent home from Waterhead Academy this morning after part of the new £35.5m flagship school fell off — just four months after it opened.

The school was taped off this morning after a 20ft plastic fin above the main entrance plunged to the ground in high winds.

The fin is used to shield windows from the sun and the incident sparked fears about the safety of others which could be seen wobbling.

A security guard heard the crash at 7am and the contractors were called. A text was also sent to parents telling them of the closure.

Only 200 pupils arrived at the academy this morning, and by 9am the majority had received permission to leave by their parents.

Head teacher Nigel McQuoid said: “The reality of a new building is that you do not always get what you expect. We are pretty sure that we will open tomorrow.”

One parent, who has two children at the school, said: “I am a bit annoyed.

“Pupils have been sent home for wearing the wrong shoes, petty things.

“The next thing they are sent home because part of a new school has collapsed.”