Children sent home from school early after travellers set up camp directly outside entrance

Children are sent home from school early via rear gate after travellers set up camp directly outside entrance and start a fire

  • Students were sent home from Llanwern High School in Newport on Tuesday afternoon after travellers arrived
  • The group parked up caravans and vehicles outside the entrance and started a small fire, the school claimed
  • It said students were sent home via the rear entrance early and it informed the local council about the camp

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Children were sent home early from a school after a group of travellers set up camp directly outside the entrance and started a fire.

Pupils at Llanwern High School, in Newport, South Wales, were sent home on Tuesday when the travellers started a small a fire after parking up on Hartridge Farm Road outside.

The school said on social media that the actions of the group, who were still there on Wednesday morning, meant students had to leave via the rear gate. 

This was to ensure that children who walked to and from school would not get home late due to the lengthy diversion route.

Students who got the bus to and from school, and those who are collected, were able to leave the school as usual, the school said.

It added it had contacted the local authority, Newport City Council, about the encampment, while police are also aware.

Travellers set up camp in their caravans on the grass verge (pictured) outside the school on Tuesday, June 28, and were still there the following morning

Students at Llanwern High School, in Newport, South Wales, were forced to go home early after the travellers arrived on Tuesday. Pictured is a sign at the entrance to the school

Students at Llanwern High School, in Newport, South Wales, were forced to go home early after the travellers arrived on Tuesday. Pictured is a sign at the entrance to the school

The school said it sent students home early after travellers started a small fire outside the entrance. Pictured is a gas bottle and barbecue set up by the group

The school said it sent students home early after travellers started a small fire outside the entrance. Pictured is a gas bottle and barbecue set up by the group

‘Travellers have set up camp immediately outside the school gate,’ the school said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon.

‘The camp has a fire going at the moment so in agreement with the chair of governors, on this occasion, pupils have been directed to leave via the rear of the school and across the SDR bridge.

‘To ensure pupils are not delayed in getting home, they have been allowed to leave a little bit earlier than usual. Pupils who take the bus will still be able to and those being collected will be allowed to leave via reception.’

Numerous static caravans have been pictured at the site alongside gas bottles, barbeques and a number of other vehicles. 

Multiple vans and caravans could be seen outside the school after the camp was set up. The school said students were sent home early so they could get home on time due to the lengthy diversion route

Multiple vans and caravans could be seen outside the school after the camp was set up. The school said students were sent home early so they could get home on time due to the lengthy diversion route

Pictured are vehicles parked up on the side of the road outside the school. The school says it has contacted Newport City Council about the encampment

Pictured are vehicles parked up on the side of the road outside the school. The school says it has contacted Newport City Council about the encampment

Newport City Council said it was 'aware of the unauthorised encampment' outside the school. Pictured are caravans and vehicles in the camp

Newport City Council said it was ‘aware of the unauthorised encampment’ outside the school. Pictured are caravans and vehicles in the camp

A spokesman for the city council said: ‘Newport City Council is aware of the unauthorised encampment at Llanwern High School. 

‘The council has signed up to a Gwent regional protocol with Gwent Police and the four other councils for the management of unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller encampments.

‘As per the protocol, our officers are currently liaising with Gwent Police regarding this encampment. The council are also working with the school to ensure safe access is maintained to the school site for pupils and staff.’