Rawmarsh Community School under siege by vandals: Headteacher pleads for help as vital equipment and playing fields destroyed

Matthew Turton, principal at Rawmarsh Community School, said the grounds had been broken into several times this school year and regularly plagued by intruders drinking alcohol and leaving the resulting litter behind.

The secondary school, part of the Wickersley Partnership Trust, had sports equipment stolen from its storage container last September and again in February.

Mr Turton said there were incidents of anti-social behaviour on a weekly basis.

“The school and site team is having to deal with the unnecessary strain of cleaning the field, servicing the broken fencing and sourcing replacement locks on top of their standard duties, only for them to be broken again within weeks,” he said.

The frustrated head said goalposts had been damaged beyond repair twice in the past year, leaving the school without any usable pitches.

“This has a substantial impact on the experience of pupils and the ability to deliver the curriculum,” he said.

“This impact is not only felt by the school but our community partners — we are proud that three separate community football clubs call our fields home.

“As a result of the vandalism, regrettably the trust has now had to move community users to other schools within the trust so they can continue their activities.”

Mr Turton asked for descriptions of anyone seen on the field without permission to be emailed to [email protected].

A Wickersley Partnership Trust spokesperson added: “The break-ins are taking place on a weekly basis since August.

“We’re seeing an increase in litter, including alcohol bottles, on evenings and weekends which suggests there’s been a rise in anti-social behaviour on the grounds.

“We’re also aware some dog walkers use the playing fields, which is not acceptable.”

Rawmarsh West councillor Jill Thompson also condemned the anti-social behaviour incidents, adding: “What has happened is frustrating for parents, staff and the wider community.

“It must be stopped immediately.

“I will seek to bring forward these issues with the police and Rotherham Council to bring the culprits to justice.”