Witton Church Walk CE Nursery and Primary School reopens after flooding

Storm Christoph battered the school grounds in January, with flood water destroying everything from flooring and play equipment, to books and irreplaceable school work.

Image: Philip Selby

In the following weeks and months, the Northwich community pulled together and a fundraiser on behalf of the school’s parent-teacher association (PTA) raised thousands of pounds to help with the repair efforts.

Headteacher Kathryn Magiera has now paid thanks to everyone who has supported the school in its time of need, as well as Rudheath Senior Academy where Witton Church Walk pupils have been having their school days while repair work was carried out.

“It’s been a lot of hard work for everyone but we’ve also had a lot of support,” she said.

“Parents, staff, Rudheath Senior Academy, everyone – we’ve worked together to make sure this school is still our pupils' safe space.

“It’s so lovely to have everyone back together, the children with their friends and their teachers in their classrooms.”

Looking back on the day of the flooding, Kathryn recalled: “It was devastating.

“When we came it was all flooded and the staff were so upset.

“But children are really resilient, and they were with their friends and the staff which they trusted even when they were at Rudheath.”

The primary school presented Rudheath Senior Academy with a book of memories to show its appreciation.

Kathryn added: “We also want to say a huge thank you to the whole community, everyone has been generous in their donations, their support and their kind words.

“It really has been overwhelming.

“Coronavirus made everything more difficult because parents were asking if they could come and help, but of course we were limiting numbers.

“It’s taken a lot longer with the restrictions in place.”

When Witton Church Walk pupils were finally allowed back into the school grounds, they were treated to a whole host of new additions, including new outdoor play equipment, refurbished classrooms and school hall, plus brand new play equipment in the nursery area.

There was even a welcome banner and balloons to greet them.

Deputy head teacher Tracy Parr said it was lovely to have the children back in school – which is now a much different scene to what she was greeted with earlier this year.

She said: “I was one of the first people here and the playground was flooded but it wasn’t close to the school – then it just closed in.

“The water also destroyed teachers’ personal belongings, because the school is like their second home.

“Seeing the way it all went it was really sad, but we got through it and we’re all back together again now.”