Keighley school 'devastated' at vandals' destruction

Yobs smashed much-loved items, pulled down fencing, and stole equipment at Worth Valley Primary, on the Bracken Bank estate, Keighley.

The cost of repairs and replacing stolen goods is expected to be around £5,000.

Headteacher Ceinwen Lodge said the school’s 235 pupils, and staff members, had been left devastated by the attacks.

But she has praised the community for rallying around in support of the school, and the “inspirational” actions of pupils who have been raising funds to replace items.

Miss Lodge says: “On two occasions recently a group of youths has trespassed in our school grounds and smashed wooden benches, stolen equipment from our butterfly room and early years outdoor areas and pulled down the fence outside our Year 2 classroom.

“Watching CCTV footage of the incidents, what upset and angered us most was seeing one of the boys kick and stamp a bird table to pieces.

"This bird table had been requested by children in our resourced provision; one of the pupils helped our site manager to build it, and it provided hours of wonder and enjoyment as the children watched lots of different species of bird visit our grounds."

Last week, the school staged a 5k in a Day event to help fundraise in the wake of the incidents.

Some of the pupils taking part in the 5k event The whole school took part, with the aim of each walking or running 18 laps of the bike track, in fancy dress.

Miss Lodge adds: "We had received so many offers of support from our parents, carers and the wider community that we decided to hold the sponsored fancy dress event to raise funds towards replacing the damaged and stolen equipment.

"Watching the children laughing and smiling as they walked around the track together – many of them walking much further than the 5k target – was truly inspirational."

With the deadline for submitting sponsorship money tomorrow (October 25), it's not yet known how much has been raised.

West Yorkshire Police confirm that they are investigating incidents of criminal damage, plus a reported attempted burglary, at the school.

A spokesperson says: "The attempted burglary report relates to an incident on August 25, at around 5.45pm, when suspects have tried to open doors and windows. They didn’t gain entry, but stole a bag of toys and damaged a bench.

"We are also investigating incidents of criminal damage which happened on separate occasions between August 26 and September 8.

"Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team would like to appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious during this period to contact the police on 101 or online via westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat, quoting crime reference 13240490981."

Worth Valley Primary School was rated 'good' overall and across each category after its last Ofsted inspection, in 2019.

Inspectors described it as "a warm, friendly and welcoming school", which pupils were "rightly proud of".

And the school was praised for teaching its children about "tolerance and respect for others".