Family members are concerned about pupils being split up from their siblings and friends after a school closed when a “partially collapsed” chalk mine was discovered underneath.

Pinner Wood School, in Latimer Gardens, Pinner, was shut down on Thursday, March 23, by Harrow Council after “shocked” staff and children were deemed to be at risk.

Geotechnical surveys undertaken by Peter Brett Associates and partner Clive Edmonds showed the ground beneath the school buildings and playgrounds could become unstable and unsafe, due to the condition of recently discovered “partially collapsed” chalk mine tunnels below.

Pupils will now not return to the school and classes will relocate to other educational places in Harrow in time for the start of the Summer Term.

Katie Francis, from Watford, is concerned about her four-year-old nephew and seven-year-old niece, who were in different key stages at the school.

The 37-year-old believes there should be a permanent school for them to return to in September so that parents do not have to drive to different places around Harrow to drop off their children.

Ms Francis said: “It is quite upsetting as they have found somewhere else to go but it is not permanent.

“There needs to be a permanent location found by September to house all the children. It’s not fair that parents “It is such a good school and the staff are really good. We do not want the children to be split up from their friends.”

Deb Spruce, head teacher of Pinner Wood School, said: “I’m certain we will all rise to this challenge and show that our school is united by much more than just our buildings.”

Cllr Sachin Shah, the leader of the council added: “We would like to stress that the imminent risk to the school buildings is believed to be small.”

Harrow Council has said schoolchildren will be relocated to different buildings in time for the summer term and will stay in their existing class groups.

Years 3 to 6 will go to Whitefriars School, in Whitefriars Avenue, Harrow. 

Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are set to take classes together in another school near Whitefriars, but the school is yet to be confirmed.