Two UK schools closed over deadly asbestos play sand recall as pupils sent home

Beacon Hill in Wallsend and Silverdale in Howdon have shut as a precautionary measure after play sand sold by major retailers was recalled over potential asbestos contamination

Two schools in the UK have shut their doors while testing is carried out to determine whether lethal asbestos has been found in play sand utilised in classrooms. The closing of Beacon Hill in Wallsend and Silverdale in Howdon schools in North Tyneside follows a nationwide product recall affecting nearly 40 items stocked by supermarkets and high street retailers.

It’s understood that testing at Silverdale has returned negative results and the school is anticipated to reopen tomorrow (May 15). Findings from Beacon Hill are yet to be received. North Tyneside Council has confirmed that two schools remain shut, while a third experienced partial classroom closures but has since reopened.

Council officials stated they had responded “immediately” to assist schools in restricting access to areas where play sand had been utilised. The Health and Safety Executive and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are providing support for the council’s response. It’s believed the play sand was bought from various high street shops.

Major retailers including Tesco, Primark, Matalan, Smyths Toys, The Entertainer, Aldi, Argos, Asda and M&S have all withdrawn the toys after they were discovered to contain the substance, reports the Express.

Parents of children at Beacon Hill received an email from headteacher Justina Terretta yesterday (May 13), confirming the potential asbestos danger. The message noted that this represents a “national issue” impacting multiple educational establishments. The complete email stated: “I am writing to inform you that the school in Wallsend and the sixth form site at Balliol will be closed for the next two days while we await the results of samples taken from sand on the school site following concerns about a potential asbestos risk.

“This is a national issue affecting a number of schools and settings, including some locally within the region. We are working closely with North Tyneside Council, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and other agencies following a product recall relating to play sand and the potential presence of asbestos.

“The safety and wellbeing of children and staff is our top priority and, as such, we are undertaking additional precautionary measures, including room closures where play sand is present, to ensure additional protection. The school closure implemented will be in line with expert and national guidance.”

Following the announcement, parents of pupils at the affected schools informed ChronicleLive they had numerous outstanding concerns.

One mother remarked: “We all want to know how long has North Tyneside Council known about this? Why were our children given this sand to play with? Have any of them digested this sand?”

Rebecca Wall, director of children’s services at North Tyneside Council, maintained “the overall risk to health is low”.

She stated: “Keeping pupils and staff safe is our top priority, and we take this responsibility extremely seriously.

“Earlier this week, we became aware of wider concerns linked to a national product recall involving play sand and the potential presence of asbestos. We acted immediately to support schools in temporarily restricting access to areas where play sand is used, providing reassurance while further checks are carried out.

“Temporarily closing schools is never a decision we take lightly. However, due to the significant quantities of play sand on site at Beacon Hill and Silverdale Schools and following guidance from the Health and Safety Executive, we have advised that both schools temporarily close as a precautionary measure.

“I want to reassure parents, pupils, and staff that advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates the overall risk to health is low. However, we are committed to following national guidance and taking a cautious, safety-first approach.

“We continue to work closely with the UK Health Security Agency and other national partners to ensure a coordinated and precautionary response.”