A SCHOOL has partially closed due to a blocked sewer causing an 'overflow of sewage' into the grounds.

Beechview Academy on Guinions Rd, High Wycombe closed on Wednesday, September 27 after staff discovered a ‘sewage problem’.

The school confirmed that "only year 6 students are in as their classrooms are not affected but it is closed to the rest of the school."

The sewage overflow is an issue caused by a collapsed sewer in Hatters Lane, which has affected a property already.

READ MORE: Thames Water slammed for delays to repairing leak in High Wycombe

The school sent a letter to parents last week, which said: "Due to a block in the sewage system on Hatters Lane causing an overflow of sewage into the school grounds, we had to close the school.

"This block in the main sewer has caused a back up in the system which has caused a manhole on the school grounds to overflow.

"The overflow has affected the whole of the lower ground of the school including the year 4, 5 and 3 classrooms, gutters around playgrounds, down some of the banking and some walkways.

"Thames Water are working in Hatters Lane to solve the basic problem, but unfortunately we do not know timescales yet. Obviously there will need to be an extensive clean up which we are arranging prior to returning to school.

"Thames Water are responsible for the clean up internally and externally, although we are working with Bucks Public Health to ensure the highest possible appropriate standards are met. This, unfortunately, will not be a simple job.

"Due to this we will not be able to open the school for the rest of this week, and will keep you updated on reopening schedule.

"To ensure our pupils do not miss out on learning we will move to remote learning for Thursday 28th and Friday 29th September.

"All information will be shared on google classrooms, with live sessions and independent work to be completed.

"Year 3 parents you will be contacted directly by the class teacher with instructions on how to do this and your child's login details."

Headteacher Laura Parry-Woolner said: "Our current schedule for returning is all of Year 6 and a select group of children from Year 3, 4 and 5 will be returning tomorrow and Friday. The limited capacity is due to space and getting access to all playgrounds once drains have been fully cleaned etc. 

"We aim to get everyone back Monday but unfortunately in a lot less rooms as we have lost a lot of classrooms and areas as they need to be stripped and refurbed, which we are still putting together a time scale/project plan. 

"As soon as we closed we were able to get online learning and live lessons happening promptly - the staff were amazing. We are still doing live online learning today and the rest of the week for the children not on site. 

"Our parents have been extremely supportive, with some even checking on staff to make sure they are ok. The community has definitely come together. "