2nd February 2026

 

CRITICAL INCIDENT - UPDATE

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

Thank you for your patience and continuing support following the fire that occurred on Thursday 29th January 2026.  I have just met with Birmingham City Council about the plan going forward in order to reopen the school safely.  In order to do this, a large part of the school will need a specialised deep clean to make sure that any residue from the smoke is removed before children come back to school followed by safety checks.

 

School closure

 

School will be closed to children for the remainder of this week as the deep clean takes place.  It is hoped that school will reopen next week, I will know more by Friday when I will update you. 

 

Year 2 and Year 4

 

Following the deep clean, we will be moving Year 2 and Year 4 classrooms to the library and rainbow room at the front of the school.  This is to enable the contractors to seal off part of the building while they refurbish the bathroom and corridors.   Children for these classes will be dropped off at the front of the building using the side door to access the school.

 

 Collecting belongings

 

Thank you for those parents who have collected their child’s belongings.  Can I ask the remainder of the belongings be collected Tuesday morning or Wednesday morning between 10.30am and 11.30am along with these a work pack will be waiting for you.

 

 

 

Free School Meals (FSM) provision

 

Please check your emails – if you are entitled to free school meals you would have received a voucher for Monday and Tuesday this week.  You will receive another one for the remainder of the week Wednesday.  If you have not received an email, please email enquiry@forestdale.bham.sch.uk

 

Learning during closure

 

Work packs for the rest of the week will be delivered by staff on Tuesday, and additional learning resources will be uploaded to our school website to support home learning during the temporary closure.  If you have not collected your child’s belongings, your work pack will be at school for collection between 10.30am and 11.30am on Tuesday or Wednesday.  There will also be online work please check your class page on the school website https://www.forestdale.bham.sch.uk/

 

Next update

 

We will write to all parents and carers again by 4.00pm on Friday 6^th February with an update on progress, the return timeline, and confirmation of reopening arrangements.

 

We understand that this is a worrying and disruptive time, and we are grateful for your patience and support. If your child feels anxious or needs additional reassurance, please let us know so we can support them.

 

If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact the school office on 0121 464 8659. Further information and support are also available on our school website https://www.forestdale.bham.sch.uk/.

 

Thank you once again for your cooperation and understanding.

 

Best wishes,

 

Mr D Foster

Headteacher

Forestdale Primary School