IT issue forces school closure to safeguard pupils

A secondary school has been forced to close due to an "external IT failure".

Budehaven Community School in Bude, Cornwall said it had "experienced a complete breakdown of our internet, registration and telephone services" and was "unable to safeguard our pupils" until the system was fixed by its external provider.

The secondary school and sixth form said it would be working with its provider to try and solve the problem, but would be unable to open until it was fixed.

In a statement the school apologised "for any inconvenience caused by this external issue, but safeguarding our children is our number one priority".

"Closing school is always last resort, but in this instance, it is the only option", it said.

The school said students would be given work to do using online platforms and the it hoped to be reopen on Friday.