Fears over 'mould and damp' in primary school

CONCERNS about an alleged damp and mould problem in a 125-year-old primary school have been investigated by the authorities.

- By DAMON WILKINSON

Fears have been raised that children at Styal Primary in Wilmslow are being made ill by black mould in the school hall. Photographs provided to the M.E.N. appear to show mould around the windows and walls. One parent of a former pupil claimed her son spent three months in hospital due to a condition caused by the mould.

Speaking on behalf of the school, Cheshire East council said they had visited Styal Primary and made recommendations after complaints about the issue. But they said they had not seen any evidence that the child became ill due to the mould.

They said the Health and Safety Executive investigated the matter and the investigation has now concluded.

A former employee told of an 'overpowering' smell of damp and said staff have been told to keep the windows open at all times to ventilate the room.

The parent the M.E.N. spoke to said she had taken her son out of the school after he was diagnosed with ABPA, a chronic fungal infection in his lungs, which she believes was caused by the mould in the hall.