Duct fall pupils back at college

The heating duct collapsed on to desks during an exam in the sports hall Enlarge Image

All but one of the 11 children injured when a heating duct collapsed in a Kent sports hall where students were sitting an exam have returned to the college.

One of the Year 9 pupils, who suffered facial injuries in the incident at Minster College on 12 May, is still recovering at home.

"Our thoughts are with him because he has had some nasty injuries," said head teacher Alan Klee.

"But all the other students are back in school and are functioning well."

He said the school, in Minster Road, Sheerness, was back on track, with GCSE exams now under way.

"We are just trying to settle things down and get on with the job in hand," he said.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is investigating the incident, in which the duct fell from the ceiling and landed between rows of desks.

Without over-dramatising things, it could have been a national disaster Alan Klee

Mr Klee said he had sent cards to all the injured students at the weekend and planned to visit the boy with facial injuries at home as soon as his family were ready.

"Reflecting on it over the weekend, it sends shivers down your spine," he said.

"We were remarkably lucky. Without over-dramatising things, it could have been a national disaster.

"It was almost an act of God that the duct fell between the desks and not on them."

HSE inspectors have handed the sports hall back to the college, but the duct still has to be removed and disposed of.

Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Derek Wyatt visited the school on Friday to see the scene for himself and deliver a handwritten letter from Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

"It was a very nice letter, full of praise for the school and praise for the emergency services," said Mr Klee.

"But his main concern was for the injured children."