WEAVER Vale MP Mike Amesbury has praised staff at a Northwich primary school devastated by flooding for the first time in its history.

Witton Church Walk CE Primary School suffered damage costing more than £250,000 after the town’s drains became overwhelmed when Storm Christoph dumped heavy rain in January.

Despite the huge clear-up and refurbishment operation, headteacher Kathryn Magiera and her team have managed to continue teaching the children.

Most were already being taught online due to lockdown but the children of key workers switched to nearby Northwich Memorial Court thanks to Brio Leisure.

With youngsters across England returning to the classroom from this week, Rudheath Senior Academy has kindly provided spare space to accommodate the entire school.

But furniture and portable toilets had to be sourced and school transport arranged.

Northwich Guardian: Mike Amesbury MP visited Witton Church Walk CE Primary School, Northwich, where he offered support to headteacher Kathryn Magiera and chair of governors, Graham Sheen, who are coping with the aftermath of January’s floods.

Mike Amesbury MP visited Witton Church Walk CE Primary School, Northwich, where he offered support to headteacher Kathryn Magiera and chair of governors, Graham Sheen, who are coping with the aftermath of January’s floods. 

Mike, who visited the flood-damaged school on Friday (March 5), said: "It’s been quite a nightmare for Kathryn and the team.

"They were already coping with the difficult logistics of teaching under lockdown when the flood happened.

"The team at Witton Church Walk CE Primary School always do an amazing job but they have gone above and beyond to deal with the consequences of Storm Christoph.

"Aside from all the practical tasks, there was the important job of reassuring the 274 children and their 98 families who were understandably upset by what happened.

"The staff must be absolutely shattered."

Fortunately, most of the damage is covered by insurance while a crowd-funding initiative and donations have so far raised almost £12,000 to replace other items such as soft furnishings.

Mike did write to schools minister Nick Gibb MP seeking emergency funding but the eligibility criteria proved too strict.

The Weaver Vale MP understands the school community will be worried about whether such a flooding could ever happen again.

An investigation is currently under way into the cause of the latest flood, which also affected homes and businesses. Mike will ask Cheshire West and Chester Council chief executive Andrew Lewis to keep the school updated on its progress.

It’s hoped the school will be able to reopen after Easter on Tuesday, April 20.