A school for children with learning challenges closed its doors without warning this morning, The Royal Gazette understands.

Parents turned up to Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy, a public school serving students aged from 4 to 18 with moderate to profound challenges, only to be met by the principal and senior government education officials and told the school was closed for the day.

A team member of the academy is also said to have listed a litany of problems at the school including lack of working staff toilets, health and safety concerns and lack of staffing.

One parent told the Gazette that when they turned up to Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy this morning, Margaret Phillips, the principal, was at the door.

It is understood that Andrew Pettit, the Permanent Secretary for Education, was also at the site.

The parent said: “Surrounding the entrance were several government staff. The principal told me that school was closed today.

“She said she wanted to call but hadn’t had time. She said the school was closed because there wasn't enough teaching staff or care support staff. She said the school was only closed for today.

“However, one of the staff told me that the bathrooms were not working properly and they probably needed to be repaired before the teachers would be willing to go back to school.

“Caring for an impaired child is very challenging and requires our full attention 24 hours a day. As parents, we need to know that the school will be open when it is supposed to be.

“Our children are entitled to the same schooling as all other kids and we, as parents, need to be able to go to work or have time to do other things without the constant concern that our plans will be cancelled, or that we cannot work when we have committed to do so.”

The Ministry of Education has been contacted for comment.

The Gazette will share more information once it becomes available.