Disruption to studies as thieves pinch shed
Hannah Porter, Hannah Harris, Jordan Oliver and Joshua Gravel, all 14, and part of the Countryside Environment programme at South Axholme school, pictured in the place the school shed once stood. Picture: Marie Caley E4045MC
pupils have been left devastated after thieves stole a shed used by students at allotments in Epworth.
The shed was taken at some point between Friday evening and Monday morning and the thieves dismantled the construction to take it away – but left all its contents behind.
Marie Lister, headteacher of South Axholme Academy, said the shed at the allotments site in Burnham Road, was regularly used by up to 27 countryside and environment students at the school.
“The shed enhances the curriculum as it allows the pupils to get hands-on experience away from the science lab,” said Mrs Lister.
“To have an allotment requires a lot of hard work and finances and people have even donated a lot of equipment. The children are devastated.”
The academy works closely with Bishop Burton College and many of the students who opt to study the countryside and environment course at school go on to pursue horticultural courses.
Children have been using the allotment for about four years and the shed had been there for about the same amount of time.
“We are situated in the heart of a rural community and I am constantly astounded at the knowledge and skills the students have who study this course with us,” said Mrs Lister.
“We never have any problems getting students to study countryside and environment with us and we’ve a huge sense of pride in what they do and what they have achieved.
“That’s why the theft of this shed is so heartbreaking. This theft must have been planned.
The large brown wooden shed measured about 10ft by 8ft.
Mrs Lister said the school would now have to look at its insurance policies to see if the cost of replacing the shed could be claimed or whether it would fundraise to buy a new one.
Youngsters use the allotment as part of their GCSE studies.
Mary Fish, who is chairman of the Lond Mare and Foal Allotment Association in Epworth said she had reported the theft to the police.
“Someone has to have planned it and come down here with a vehicle to take it away,” she said.
Police confirmed officers were investigating the theft. Anyone with information about the theft should call Humberside Police on its non-emergency number 101.
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Friday 24 May 2013
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