The majority of our Catholic schools in Hull and the East Riding were closed for several days due to the flooding in June causing site drainage difficulties or actual damage. Two primary schools, St Thomas More in Hull and St Mary and St Joseph in Pocklington were both particularly badly affected.

St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, West Hull

The school’s Boiler Room, Main Corridor, Main Hall and Year Two Classroom were flooded on Friday 15th June causing the children aged four to 11 to have to be taken home and the School to be closed for two days. Ten days later, the School, having been featured on television, cleaned and re-ordered, suffered in the more serious floods of 25th June, these areas being flooded again, with a second classroom and two offices in addition. This caused the School to be evacuated again and closed for a further week.

Due to the generous efforts of the staff and parent volunteers, the School was able to operate within 70% of the building by 2nd July, with full use of the Dining Area and Kitchens by the following week.

Thanks are due to the gallant staff, patient parents and supportive Diocesan Property Management Service for their help at a difficult time. With their continued support, the School was much improved by the start of the Autumn Term, but further work is needed on the some of floors and on the re-ordering of learning resources before the School is looking as good as it should.

Some 17 of the School’s pupils and their families have had to move out of their homes to live with relatives, in caravans, hotels or rented accommodation. For some, this is a disruption that may continue for many months. Please remember them in your prayers.