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Arson attack wrecks school

5:06pm Monday 20th November 2006

comment Comments (320)   Have your say »

By Dan Webber »

An arson attack on a school has caused massive damage after a fierce blaze ripped through classrooms leaving a repair bill that could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Baildon C of E Primary School is not expected to open again until the end of the week, meaning hundreds of youngsters will have to stay at home because of the destruction caused by the fire.

It is hoped to get one side of the school open after the blaze destroyed two reception classrooms, a music room, art room and Year One classroom, leaving teachers in tears.

Devastated head teacher Michael Curtin said years of work by teachers and pupils had literally "gone up in smoke".

Mr Curtin said the school had had trouble with youths congregating in the school grounds in recent days.

A couple of bins were set on fire at the school on Wednesday, but nothing could have prepared Mr Curtin for the call he received on Saturday night.

He said: "I got a call just before 11pm saying the school's alarms were going off. Two minutes later I got another call to say it was ablaze. It was arson."

A Wendy house bought by parents just a couple of weeks ago was pushed up against the shutters and set alight.

He added: "I have had staff in tears. All the work that they and their pupils have put in does not exist anymore.

"I do not think the people that have done this realise what damage they can cause."

Mr Curtin said the school's nursery had just been refurbished with new equipment at a "considerable" cost.

He added: "It's not just the school building. A lot of the resources have gone too.

"We might have to beg to other schools for equipment. The aim now is to clear-up and get pupils back to school as quickly as possible.

"If we can clear-up and get the power on again then we can get one side of the school open. But we are just devastated."

Mr Curtin said classrooms for around 150 pupils, ranging in age from three to seven-years-old, were now destroyed or unusable with total damage running into "hundreds of thousands of pounds".

He added temporary classrooms may have to be used.

Some 350 pupils will remain at home until clear-up work is complete.

Reception class teacher Christine Waite said she no longer had a classroom to teach in.

She added: "I am just devastated that everything has gone - all the hard work of the staff and children.

"Work including the first examples of the children's writing has gone forever.

"You just cannot put the loss into words. It's just heart-breaking."

Mr Curtin said the school would be closed today and tomorrow and possibly longer as industrial cleaners cleared up the mess.

The reception classrooms and perhaps others affected by the blaze will have to be destroyed completely.

David Clapham, 56, who lives near to the school on Coverdale Way, Baildon, was the first to raise the alarm after spotting the blaze.

Mr Clapham, a caretaker at Salt Grammar School, said: "I thought it was just a wooden hut on fire and then I went around the back of the school and saw it was all ablaze.

"Toxic smoke was belching out and flames were coming from the roof.

"It was quite frightening. Parents have been here sobbing. It's been like a bereavement."

Bradford Council staff were due to work at the site today to assess the extent of the damage and decide what needs to be done before the school can re-open.

Eight fire appliances from Shipley, Rawdon, Idle and Baildon attended the blaze after receiving a call at 10.40pm.

Shipley fire station watch manager Nick Padwick said it took around four hours to fully extinguish the fire.

Investigators believe it was started deliberately.

A West Yorkshire police spokesman said: "We are treating the incident as suspicious and inquiries are ongoing."

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Dave, says...
6:10pm Mon 20 Nov 06

Whoever is responsable for this mindless act ought to be ashamed, caught and punished to the fullest exstent of the law. Edjucation is the most important start to life and these bozos are depriving children of that because of there mindless actions, never mind all the hard work from both staff and pupils.

Dave, says...
6:10pm Mon 20 Nov 06

Whoever is responsable for this mindless act ought to be ashamed, caught and punished to the fullest exstent of the law. Edjucation is the most important start to life and these bozos are depriving children of that because of there mindless actions, never mind all the hard work from both staff and pupils.

Dave, says...
6:10pm Mon 20 Nov 06

Whoever is responsable for this mindless act ought to be ashamed, caught and punished to the fullest exstent of the law. Edjucation is the most important start to life and these bozos are depriving children of that because of there mindless actions, never mind all the hard work from both staff and pupils.

Dave, says...
6:10pm Mon 20 Nov 06

Whoever is responsable for this mindless act ought to be ashamed, caught and punished to the fullest exstent of the law. Edjucation is the most important start to life and these bozos are depriving children of that because of there mindless actions, never mind all the hard work from both staff and pupils.

Louis Mullen, says...
7:00pm Mon 20 Nov 06

I am one of the pupls of baildon C of E primry school I think it's terrible what they did I don't see the point of blazing a school they will get caught any way they will get know recpect for this.

Louis Mullen, says...
7:00pm Mon 20 Nov 06

I am one of the pupls of baildon C of E primry school I think it's terrible what they did I don't see the point of blazing a school they will get caught any way they will get know recpect for this.

Louis Mullen, says...
7:00pm Mon 20 Nov 06

I am one of the pupls of baildon C of E primry school I think it's terrible what they did I don't see the point of blazing a school they will get caught any way they will get know recpect for this.

Louis Mullen, says...
7:00pm Mon 20 Nov 06

I am one of the pupls of baildon C of E primry school I think it's terrible what they did I don't see the point of blazing a school they will get caught any way they will get know recpect for this.

sophie, says...
7:26pm Mon 20 Nov 06

i am a year 6 pupil at Baildon Church of England Primary school and i am devastated that someone would do such a thing to a beautiful and well looked after school like ours.also because the S.A.T.S are coming up for the year 6 pupils a weeks loss of revision is not very good for the marks and scores so we all hope to get back to school as soon as possible and hopefully the school will be back to normall aswell!!!

sophie, says...
7:26pm Mon 20 Nov 06

i am a year 6 pupil at Baildon Church of England Primary school and i am devastated that someone would do such a thing to a beautiful and well looked after school like ours.also because the S.A.T.S are coming up for the year 6 pupils a weeks loss of revision is not very good for the marks and scores so we all hope to get back to school as soon as possible and hopefully the school will be back to normall aswell!!!

sophie, says...
7:26pm Mon 20 Nov 06

i am a year 6 pupil at Baildon Church of England Primary school and i am devastated that someone would do such a thing to a beautiful and well looked after school like ours.also because the S.A.T.S are coming up for the year 6 pupils a weeks loss of revision is not very good for the marks and scores so we all hope to get back to school as soon as possible and hopefully the school will be back to normall aswell!!!

sophie, says...
7:26pm Mon 20 Nov 06

i am a year 6 pupil at Baildon Church of England Primary school and i am devastated that someone would do such a thing to a beautiful and well looked after school like ours.also because the S.A.T.S are coming up for the year 6 pupils a weeks loss of revision is not very good for the marks and scores so we all hope to get back to school as soon as possible and hopefully the school will be back to normall aswell!!!

Luci And Faye, says...
7:30pm Mon 20 Nov 06

Me and faye are yr 6 pupils at Baildon Church Of England Primary School!
We are devastated that someone would do this 2 out school espically when out S A T S are coming up we carn't afford 2 miss school!
We have been 2 see our school it is a atrocious! We hope all our teachers are ok and our building is safe 2 go in next week! From Lucy Hodgson And Faye Redman in class 6S

Luci And Faye, says...
7:30pm Mon 20 Nov 06

Me and faye are yr 6 pupils at Baildon Church Of England Primary School!
We are devastated that someone would do this 2 out school espically when out S A T S are coming up we carn't afford 2 miss school!
We have been 2 see our school it is a atrocious! We hope all our teachers are ok and our building is safe 2 go in next week! From Lucy Hodgson And Faye Redman in class 6S

Luci And Faye, says...
7:30pm Mon 20 Nov 06

Me and faye are yr 6 pupils at Baildon Church Of England Primary School!
We are devastated that someone would do this 2 out school espically when out S A T S are coming up we carn't afford 2 miss school!
We have been 2 see our school it is a atrocious! We hope all our teachers are ok and our building is safe 2 go in next week! From Lucy Hodgson And Faye Redman in class 6S

Luci And Faye, says...
7:30pm Mon 20 Nov 06

Me and faye are yr 6 pupils at Baildon Church Of England Primary School!
We are devastated that someone would do this 2 out school espically when out S A T S are coming up we carn't afford 2 miss school!
We have been 2 see our school it is a atrocious! We hope all our teachers are ok and our building is safe 2 go in next week! From Lucy Hodgson And Faye Redman in class 6S

debra hodgson, says...
7:38pm Mon 20 Nov 06

My daughter is in year six a critical year for her education.The mindless act of vandalism caused by these people is not only jepordising her education but all of her friends in this year and indeed the whole school.Years of work by teachers and staff have been destroyed and the children are desperately upset.I hope that those responsible will be found and appropriate punishment dealt out.

debra hodgson, says...
7:38pm Mon 20 Nov 06

My daughter is in year six a critical year for her education.The mindless act of vandalism caused by these people is not only jepordising her education but all of her friends in this year and indeed the whole school.Years of work by teachers and staff have been destroyed and the children are desperately upset.I hope that those responsible will be found and appropriate punishment dealt out.

debra hodgson, says...
7:38pm Mon 20 Nov 06

My daughter is in year six a critical year for her education.The mindless act of vandalism caused by these people is not only jepordising her education but all of her friends in this year and indeed the whole school.Years of work by teachers and staff have been destroyed and the children are desperately upset.I hope that those responsible will be found and appropriate punishment dealt out.

debra hodgson, says...
7:38pm Mon 20 Nov 06

My daughter is in year six a critical year for her education.The mindless act of vandalism caused by these people is not only jepordising her education but all of her friends in this year and indeed the whole school.Years of work by teachers and staff have been destroyed and the children are desperately upset.I hope that those responsible will be found and appropriate punishment dealt out.

Dawn Pawlowycz, says...
10:18pm Mon 20 Nov 06

It broke my heart to watch my daughter, Rebekah age 9, sob at the devastating sight of her lovely school…the long-term affect that it may have on these children is incomprehensible.
I was amased at the lack of publicity that this act of deliberate destruction received and telephone Calendar News to be told that ‘there was more important news to report’. Our school now needs as much publicity and help that it can get to survive this indescribable trauma. Lets hope the police take a less dismissive attitude.

Dawn Pawlowycz, says...
10:18pm Mon 20 Nov 06

It broke my heart to watch my daughter, Rebekah age 9, sob at the devastating sight of her lovely schoolÂ…the long-term affect that it may have on these children is incomprehensible.
I was amased at the lack of publicity that this act of deliberate destruction received and telephone Calendar News to be told that ‘there was more important news to report’. Our school now needs as much publicity and help that it can get to survive this indescribable trauma. Lets hope the police take a less dismissive attitude.

Dawn Pawlowycz, says...
10:18pm Mon 20 Nov 06

It broke my heart to watch my daughter, Rebekah age 9, sob at the devastating sight of her lovely schoolÂ…the long-term affect that it may have on these children is incomprehensible.
I was amased at the lack of publicity that this act of deliberate destruction received and telephone Calendar News to be told that ‘there was more important news to report’. Our school now needs as much publicity and help that it can get to survive this indescribable trauma. Lets hope the police take a less dismissive attitude.

Dawn Pawlowycz, says...
10:18pm Mon 20 Nov 06

It broke my heart to watch my daughter, Rebekah age 9, sob at the devastating sight of her lovely schoolÂ…the long-term affect that it may have on these children is incomprehensible.
I was amased at the lack of publicity that this act of deliberate destruction received and telephone Calendar News to be told that ‘there was more important news to report’. Our school now needs as much publicity and help that it can get to survive this indescribable trauma. Lets hope the police take a less dismissive attitude.

jane martin, says...
10:39pm Mon 20 Nov 06

My daughter Sophie is a year 6 pupil at Baildon Church School and I am a lunchtime supervisor one day per week. This is a lovely school which has been devastated by mindless morons with nothing better to do and no respect for anyone or anything. It is time that we were able to take appropriate action against this type of behaviour as there is no deterrent for acts such as this. All that will happen will the people responsible will have their hands smacked and a don't do it again message. In my opinion they should be severely punished for this deliberate act of destruction. The people of Baildon need to rally round and stamp out the mindless vandalism that seems to have taken a hold in our village. The school, it's pupils and teachers will bounce back and I give my wholehearted support to them.

jane martin, says...
10:39pm Mon 20 Nov 06

My daughter Sophie is a year 6 pupil at Baildon Church School and I am a lunchtime supervisor one day per week. This is a lovely school which has been devastated by mindless morons with nothing better to do and no respect for anyone or anything. It is time that we were able to take appropriate action against this type of behaviour as there is no deterrent for acts such as this. All that will happen will the people responsible will have their hands smacked and a don't do it again message. In my opinion they should be severely punished for this deliberate act of destruction. The people of Baildon need to rally round and stamp out the mindless vandalism that seems to have taken a hold in our village. The school, it's pupils and teachers will bounce back and I give my wholehearted support to them.

jane martin, says...
10:39pm Mon 20 Nov 06

My daughter Sophie is a year 6 pupil at Baildon Church School and I am a lunchtime supervisor one day per week. This is a lovely school which has been devastated by mindless morons with nothing better to do and no respect for anyone or anything. It is time that we were able to take appropriate action against this type of behaviour as there is no deterrent for acts such as this. All that will happen will the people responsible will have their hands smacked and a don't do it again message. In my opinion they should be severely punished for this deliberate act of destruction. The people of Baildon need to rally round and stamp out the mindless vandalism that seems to have taken a hold in our village. The school, it's pupils and teachers will bounce back and I give my wholehearted support to them.

jane martin, says...
10:39pm Mon 20 Nov 06

My daughter Sophie is a year 6 pupil at Baildon Church School and I am a lunchtime supervisor one day per week. This is a lovely school which has been devastated by mindless morons with nothing better to do and no respect for anyone or anything. It is time that we were able to take appropriate action against this type of behaviour as there is no deterrent for acts such as this. All that will happen will the people responsible will have their hands smacked and a don't do it again message. In my opinion they should be severely punished for this deliberate act of destruction. The people of Baildon need to rally round and stamp out the mindless vandalism that seems to have taken a hold in our village. The school, it's pupils and teachers will bounce back and I give my wholehearted support to them.

David, says...
11:22am Tue 21 Nov 06

What have the police got to say about this? Do they know who the criminals are, and if not why not? Yobs have been hanging around this school for years and the police have been consulted many times. Early arrests and maximum sentences are needed here as a clear warning to others like them - or is Baildon to be dragged down to the level of the rest of Bradford?

David, says...
11:22am Tue 21 Nov 06

What have the police got to say about this? Do they know who the criminals are, and if not why not? Yobs have been hanging around this school for years and the police have been consulted many times. Early arrests and maximum sentences are needed here as a clear warning to others like them - or is Baildon to be dragged down to the level of the rest of Bradford?

David, says...
11:22am Tue 21 Nov 06

What have the police got to say about this? Do they know who the criminals are, and if not why not? Yobs have been hanging around this school for years and the police have been consulted many times. Early arrests and maximum sentences are needed here as a clear warning to others like them - or is Baildon to be dragged down to the level of the rest of Bradford?

David, says...
11:22am Tue 21 Nov 06

What have the police got to say about this? Do they know who the criminals are, and if not why not? Yobs have been hanging around this school for years and the police have been consulted many times. Early arrests and maximum sentences are needed here as a clear warning to others like them - or is Baildon to be dragged down to the level of the rest of Bradford?

Lucy, says...
1:36pm Tue 21 Nov 06

I am a year 6 pupil at The Church School!
the most upsetting thing was i went to look at the damage of our school yesterday and found a little girl and her mum coming 2 nursery for the first time i had to explain what had happened this was very sad! i had a tear in my eye! From Lucy Hodgson class 6s

Lucy, says...
1:36pm Tue 21 Nov 06

I am a year 6 pupil at The Church School!
the most upsetting thing was i went to look at the damage of our school yesterday and found a little girl and her mum coming 2 nursery for the first time i had to explain what had happened this was very sad! i had a tear in my eye! From Lucy Hodgson class 6s

Lucy, says...
1:36pm Tue 21 Nov 06

I am a year 6 pupil at The Church School!
the most upsetting thing was i went to look at the damage of our school yesterday and found a little girl and her mum coming 2 nursery for the first time i had to explain what had happened this was very sad! i had a tear in my eye! From Lucy Hodgson class 6s

Lucy, says...
1:36pm Tue 21 Nov 06

I am a year 6 pupil at The Church School!
the most upsetting thing was i went to look at the damage of our school yesterday and found a little girl and her mum coming 2 nursery for the first time i had to explain what had happened this was very sad! i had a tear in my eye! From Lucy Hodgson class 6s

Caron Kolowiecki, says...
3:01pm Tue 21 Nov 06

my daughter, Natalie started in year 5 at the school after a stressful 3 months of relocating from the Midlands to Baildon. She was devastated when the school was burned down as we had a similar situation with a secondary school where we used to live and it has taken over 2 years to rebuild it. These mindless idiots don't think of the distress they cause to everyone - the nightmare of organising childcare at short notice, getting everything cleaned up and useable again, the loss of valuable work done by the children, especially in foundation stage as this is work showing a child's development at a most crucial stage.
I hope Mr Curtin and the staff can get the school up and running soon and hope the police are pro-active in catching these thoughtless idiots.

Caron Kolowiecki, says...
3:01pm Tue 21 Nov 06

my daughter, Natalie started in year 5 at the school after a stressful 3 months of relocating from the Midlands to Baildon. She was devastated when the school was burned down as we had a similar situation with a secondary school where we used to live and it has taken over 2 years to rebuild it. These mindless idiots don't think of the distress they cause to everyone - the nightmare of organising childcare at short notice, getting everything cleaned up and useable again, the loss of valuable work done by the children, especially in foundation stage as this is work showing a child's development at a most crucial stage.
I hope Mr Curtin and the staff can get the school up and running soon and hope the police are pro-active in catching these thoughtless idiots.

Caron Kolowiecki, says...
3:01pm Tue 21 Nov 06

my daughter, Natalie started in year 5 at the school after a stressful 3 months of relocating from the Midlands to Baildon. She was devastated when the school was burned down as we had a similar situation with a secondary school where we used to live and it has taken over 2 years to rebuild it. These mindless idiots don't think of the distress they cause to everyone - the nightmare of organising childcare at short notice, getting everything cleaned up and useable again, the loss of valuable work done by the children, especially in foundation stage as this is work showing a child's development at a most crucial stage.
I hope Mr Curtin and the staff can get the school up and running soon and hope the police are pro-active in catching these thoughtless idiots.

Caron Kolowiecki, says...
3:01pm Tue 21 Nov 06

my daughter, Natalie started in year 5 at the school after a stressful 3 months of relocating from the Midlands to Baildon. She was devastated when the school was burned down as we had a similar situation with a secondary school where we used to live and it has taken over 2 years to rebuild it. These mindless idiots don't think of the distress they cause to everyone - the nightmare of organising childcare at short notice, getting everything cleaned up and useable again, the loss of valuable work done by the children, especially in foundation stage as this is work showing a child's development at a most crucial stage.
I hope Mr Curtin and the staff can get the school up and running soon and hope the police are pro-active in catching these thoughtless idiots.

kane withall, says...
3:47pm Tue 21 Nov 06

i am in year 5 and im really shocked that this has happened and it is not fair that some people has done this to are school

kane withall, says...
3:47pm Tue 21 Nov 06

i am in year 5 and im really shocked that this has happened and it is not fair that some people has done this to are school

kane withall, says...
3:47pm Tue 21 Nov 06

i am in year 5 and im really shocked that this has happened and it is not fair that some people has done this to are school

kane withall, says...
3:47pm Tue 21 Nov 06

i am in year 5 and im really shocked that this has happened and it is not fair that some people has done this to are school

Diane, says...
4:01pm Tue 21 Nov 06

What a shame that this has happened. What is going on in England with these people who are **** bent on destroying everything?

Diane, says...
4:01pm Tue 21 Nov 06

What a shame that this has happened. What is going on in England with these people who are **** bent on destroying everything?

Diane, says...
4:01pm Tue 21 Nov 06

What a shame that this has happened. What is going on in England with these people who are **** bent on destroying everything?

Diane, says...
4:01pm Tue 21 Nov 06

What a shame that this has happened. What is going on in England with these people who are **** bent on destroying everything?

emily, says...
4:41pm Tue 21 Nov 06

im a pupil in yr 5 at Baildon C of E primary!
i really cant believe that this has happened to our school that is so beautiful. i feel so sorry for the teachers that have put effort into the school. i dont know why someone would be so stupid to set it on fire.

emily, says...
4:41pm Tue 21 Nov 06

im a pupil in yr 5 at Baildon C of E primary!
i really cant believe that this has happened to our school that is so beautiful. i feel so sorry for the teachers that have put effort into the school. i dont know why someone would be so stupid to set it on fire.

emily, says...
4:41pm Tue 21 Nov 06

im a pupil in yr 5 at Baildon C of E primary!
i really cant believe that this has happened to our school that is so beautiful. i feel so sorry for the teachers that have put effort into the school. i dont know why someone would be so stupid to set it on fire.

emily, says...
4:41pm Tue 21 Nov 06

im a pupil in yr 5 at Baildon C of E primary!
i really cant believe that this has happened to our school that is so beautiful. i feel so sorry for the teachers that have put effort into the school. i dont know why someone would be so stupid to set it on fire.

emily, says...
4:41pm Tue 21 Nov 06

im a pupil in yr 5 at Baildon C of E primary!
i really cant believe that this has happened to our school that is so beautiful. i feel so sorry for the teachers that have put effort into the school. i dont know why someone would be so stupid to set it on fire.

emily, says...
4:41pm Tue 21 Nov 06

im a pupil in yr 5 at Baildon C of E primary!
i really cant believe that this has happened to our school that is so beautiful. i feel so sorry for the teachers that have put effort into the school. i dont know why someone would be so stupid to set it on fire.

emily, says...
4:41pm Tue 21 Nov 06

im a pupil in yr 5 at Baildon C of E primary!
i really cant believe that this has happened to our school that is so beautiful. i feel so sorry for the teachers that have put effort into the school. i dont know why someone would be so stupid to set it on fire.

emily, says...
4:41pm Tue 21 Nov 06

im a pupil in yr 5 at Baildon C of E primary!
i really cant believe that this has happened to our school that is so beautiful. i feel so sorry for the teachers that have put effort into the school. i dont know why someone would be so stupid to set it on fire.

emily, says...
4:43pm Tue 21 Nov 06

im a pupil in yr 5 at Baildon C of E primary!
i really cant believe that this has happened to our school that is so beautiful. i feel so sorry for the teachers that have put effort into the school. i dont know why someone would be so stupid to set it on fire.

emily, says...
4:43pm Tue 21 Nov 06

im a pupil in yr 5 at Baildon C of E primary!
i really cant believe that this has happened to our school that is so beautiful. i feel so sorry for the teachers that have put effort into the school. i dont know why someone would be so stupid to set it on fire.

emily, says...
4:43pm Tue 21 Nov 06

im a pupil in yr 5 at Baildon C of E primary!
i really cant believe that this has happened to our school that is so beautiful. i feel so sorry for the teachers that have put effort into the school. i dont know why someone would be so stupid to set it on fire.

emily, says...
4:43pm Tue 21 Nov 06

im a pupil in yr 5 at Baildon C of E primary!
i really cant believe that this has happened to our school that is so beautiful. i feel so sorry for the teachers that have put effort into the school. i dont know why someone would be so stupid to set it on fire.

Si, says...
4:51pm Tue 21 Nov 06

Just want to clarify the point someone else pointed out ... the police need to take hold of Baildon, it is getting out of hand, it is becoming a village that is not safe to go out in ... I am sure the police know who these yobs are, and that the right punishment be dished out ... not some cushy "dont do it again centre" ... but as we all know , this village will not be brought back in line... just like the rest of Bradford / UK / need i go on ???

Si, says...
4:51pm Tue 21 Nov 06

Just want to clarify the point someone else pointed out ... the police need to take hold of Baildon, it is getting out of hand, it is becoming a village that is not safe to go out in ... I am sure the police know who these yobs are, and that the right punishment be dished out ... not some cushy "dont do it again centre" ... but as we all know , this village will not be brought back in line... just like the rest of Bradford / UK / need i go on ???

Si, says...
4:51pm Tue 21 Nov 06

Just want to clarify the point someone else pointed out ... the police need to take hold of Baildon, it is getting out of hand, it is becoming a village that is not safe to go out in ... I am sure the police know who these yobs are, and that the right punishment be dished out ... not some cushy "dont do it again centre" ... but as we all know , this village will not be brought back in line... just like the rest of Bradford / UK / need i go on ???