UPDATE: Chichester High School issues statement over emergency closure
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Students and parents were informed of the closure last night after a potentially hazardous A-Level chemistry substance was identified at the high school.
The deteriorated 2,4-DNPH was found yesterday following an advisory note to schools to check how the substance was stored, and has since been destroyed on West Wittering beach.
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Hide AdExecutive principal Yasmin Maskatiya wrote: “Our commitment to safeguarding our pupils and staff was at the centre of the difficult decision to shut Chichester High School today.
“This decision was based on several complex and well informed reasons.
“We were not sure of when the police were going to be able to deal with the issue and had to make a decision based on the
information we had.
“The two buildings affected would have meant it would have been very difficult to re-locate a significant number of students away from the affected classroom areas.
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Hide Ad“Informing parents and carers in a timely manner had to be another priority and we are very grateful to our parent body for the positive support they have shown us during this event.
“We are also grateful to Mr Taunt and his staff at Bishop Luffa School for the kind hospitality they have shown to a small group of our students completing an exam this morning.
“We are delighted to report that the chemicals were safely removed and that we will be open fully tomorrow, Friday 4th November.”
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