1,800 Cambridgeshire students get Tuesday off after internet failure

Up to 1800 students at a Cambridgeshire academy have been told to stay at home tomorrow (November 7) after its internet crashed. Principal Matthew Van Lier told parents of pupils at Stanground Academy, Peterborough, that they had made the closure decision due to the failure of the academy’s internet provider which had “impacted on critical systems”.

In a letter to parents, he said lack of internet would mean:

1: No fire alarm

2: No registration system for students or staff

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3: No access to emergency contact details

4: No incoming phone systems

5: No electronic safeguarding recording platform -CPOMs, a computer system that manages and monitors safeguarding concerns.

Mr Van Lier said: “The failure of these systems means that we cannot provide a safe system of care for our pupils and so we will have to close for the day”

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Stanground Academy ,
Stanground, Peterborough
Tuesday 07 November 2023.
Picture by Terry Harris.

He said: “This is an unprecedented failure by an external supplier to the (academy) trust. You can be assured that we have done everything within our power to resolve this issue today but unfortunately even their backup plans have not worked.

“We understand that this failure has also impacted on many people in the local area.”

The principal added: “We will continue to work with the supplier through the night to find a solution for this failure, however we wanted to give you as much time as possible to make alternative plans.”

Mr Van Lier said updates will be provided via the academy Facebook page, the academy website and “group call via your mobile phone at 12pm and 4pm.

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“Unfortunately, we are unable to upload work onto (Microsoft) Teams as this requires internet access.”

He added: “We are so sorry for this inconvenience and will do everything within our power to ensure that the situation is resolve for Wednesday.”

FACT FILE:

The Stanground Academy opened on 1 April 2012.

The Academy provides 11-19 education for 1800 pupils: 1500 11-16 and 300 post-16.

Stanground Academy ,
Stanground, Peterborough
Tuesday 07 November 2023.
Picture by Terry Harris.

The Stanground Academy opened in the existing buildings of the former Stanground College.  A major capital building programme costing £24m was completed in September 2013 and now provides state-of-the-art buildings and facilities for students and staff.

The Stanground Academy serves the local community with students living closest to the buildings having priority for places.

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Offering a comprehensive curriculum, including academic GCSEs and A-levels plus vocational courses at Level 2 and Level 3, the Academy is designed for students of all abilities. A high level of examination success is expected of all.

The academy is sponsored by the Greenwood Academies Trust which was formed in 2009 and now educates approximately 17,000 pupils across seven local authority areas including Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire, Leicester City, Northamptonshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire, and Central Bedfordshire.