A school for children with learning challenges closed its doors without warning yesterday morning.

The Department of Education confirmed that Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy was shut because of drainage concerns affecting operations. The school was expected to remain closed today until the issue was fixed.

A spokeswoman said the department caught the problem late the night before, which “significantly limited the time available to notify parents and guardians before the start of the school day”.

She added: “We sincerely regret the short notice and the inconvenience caused to families.”

It came after parents turned up at the public school, which serves students aged 4 to 18 with moderate to profound challenges, only to be met by the principal and senior government education officials and told it 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 The Royal Gazette that when they turned up, 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.”

Department officials assessed the issue in the morning. The spokeswoman said drainage had been partially remedied, with the source of “a persistent odour” identified. More work was scheduled for the evening.

She added: “The department is working closely with the relevant departments to ensure the necessary corrective measures are completed and that the school environment is safe for students and staff.”

The Ministry of Health advised that the school should remain closed until the drainage system was “fully repaired and the facilities are confirmed safe and operational”.

The spokeswoman said: “The health, safety and wellbeing of students and staff remain our highest priority.

“We appreciate the school community's patience and understanding as we work to resolve the matter as quickly and safely as possible.”