North East Hertfordshire MP Sir Oliver Heald visited King James Academy Royston to see the damage caused to the main classroom block by Storm Henk. He was shown round the damaged areas by Head Lisa Plowman. The storm ripped off the roof and cladding leading to flooding in the classrooms and offices and the rooms cannot be used. There is room for Year 11 but hundreds of students are having to work online from home. Also there to assess the situation was Co Cllr Fiona Hill who has been liaising with Council officers about what alternative classroom accommodation might be available. The Academy has loss adjusters, insurers and its overall Trust helping with the crisis.

Sir Oliver has asked Regional Director of the Department for Education, Jonathan Duff what help can be made available to the Academy to tackle this disaster. Oliver has also asked researchers to look into what Government help is available for serious storm damage.

Commenting Oliver said:

“I would like to pay tribute to Headteacher Lisa Plowman and the dedicated staff trying to keep things going after this terrible storm damage. The Diamond Learning Partnership Trust is providing positive support as are insurers and the County Council. It is urgent to find alternative accommodation, as renovation will clearly take some time. I have immediately contacted Jonathan Duff, Regional Director of the Department for Education. I am asking researchers to look into any Government support available for severe storm damage. I know County Councillor Fiona Hill has had a full briefing from County Council officers about what support they may be able to offer. There is a ‘moth-balled’ school site in the Town not used for some years – formerly Roysia School – and work is underway to see if it could be brought back into use, but this would need to be approved by experts. I will continue to support the school during this difficult period.”