Portsmouth and Gosport schools forced to close due to flooding as Storm Alex unleashes its wrath

Elson Junior School in Gosport had to send pupils home after water began flowing in through the roof following the morning deluge of torrential rain this morning.

Headteacher Penny Shaw said: ‘We have a flat section of roof where water had started to run in down the walls and into the lights and toilets which meant we ultimately had to take the decision to send the children home.

‘We currently have workers investigating the cause and looking to rectify the problem and to make sure everything is safe.’

Mrs Shaw was hopeful the school would be able to reopen Monday. There is further adverse weather forecast across the weekend.

She said the situation will be assessed and parents will be informed across the weekend of a decision.

Mrs Shaw was also keen to praise students for their conduct.

She added: ‘The children were fantastic and left the site in a really calm manner.’

SEE ALSO: Met Office warns of a wet weekend across Hampshire with the potential for floods

Springfield School in Drayton also succumbed to Storm Alex’s wrath with the school confirming pupils had to be sent home due to flooding caused by the adverse weather.

A statement on the school’s website said: ‘Well done to pupils for their calm and sensible response to an unprecedented situation on the school site this morning.

‘Several areas of the school campus were flooded with almost a foot of water, making safe movement between some buildings impossible.

‘Many pupils were extremely wet and in real need of a change of clothes.

‘Pupils took care of each other and were able to contact home to arrange a safe departure.

‘Clearly, the school is not called Springfield for nothing. We hope to be back to normal routines on Monday.’

Elsewhere, there was flooding in Copnor Road, Copnor, outside the Roko gym.

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