Gedney mother removes daughter from University Academy Long Sutton due to mould and damp in building causing health issues
Worried parents fear their children are becoming ill due to mould and damp conditions at a secondary school — with one mum even removing her daughter from the academy as a result.
University Academy Long Sutton (UALS) principal Liam Davé and education officials say they are taking concerns about mould and damp in classrooms ‘seriously’ - however a group of angry parents say immediate action should be taken as it is leading to ill health.
Vesna Elston has now removed her year 8 daughter, aged 12, from the school — due to be rebuilt by autumn 2026 — amid concerns that the issue could cause long-lasting damage to her health and enrolled her at University Academy Holbeach, part of the same school group.
Mrs Elston, from Gedney, said: “My daughter had never been ill in her life - she is a highly competitive gymnast and trains three to four times a week.
“This is how fit and healthy she is but after starting at UALS in 2023 she has had chest infection after chest infection.
“It cleared up in the summer and by the first week of October this year she had a chest infection and has been diagnosed as having a severe allergy to mould.”
So severe was this allergy that Mrs Elston, a health visitor, took the decision to take her daughter out of the school.
She said: “My daughter has been prescribed montelukast, steroids, antihistamine and antibiotics but I always questioned if it was asthma.
“My son has asthma and this was a completely different cough - she felt her throat was closing up, her lips would tingle, her eyes were always red and she felt she was having a panic attack.
“I thought something else is going on here - something at the school is making her poorly.”
Worried parents chatted about their children’s health issues on Facebook in the University Academy Long Sutton Discussion Group.
They found that their children were displaying similar symptoms - the onset of asthma, chest infections and sore throats after attending lessons in mouldy areas of the building.
They have reported these concerns to Mr Davé and feel that immediate action needs to be taken before the rebuild in two years when their children would have already left the school.
Mrs Elston said: “I questioned about the mould and to be fair Mr Davé did always get back to me.
“But I think he is fighting a losing battle - clearly they haven’t responded as the mould has not just appeared overnight
“I cannot fault the attendance team there who never threatened any action - they were supportive but I have a duty of care to my daughter so I deregistered her.”
More parents have come forward with concerns about the mould and damp which affects the main hall, tower black and design technology area.
Though they brought it to the academy’s attention last year they are frustrated that it remains an ongoing issue.
Lucy Addley’s 15-year-old son Ryan who attends UALS has been prescribed antibiotics for a throat infection.
She said: “The black mould at the school is horrendous and the children shouldn’t be taught in those classrooms.
“We have been back and forth to the doctors.
“Kids can die from living in mould - no one wants to listen to us.”
Miss Addley, from Tydd St Mary, has another child who will start at the academy next September and finds it ‘very stressful’ as she does not want to take her daughter away from her friends by registering at another school.
She feels that solutions should be found for the mould issue but that building a new school is not immediate enough.
She said “We have made suggestions about having mobile classrooms.
“We’re not expected to live in houses with mould so why should it be like that at school?
“They need to sort it out.”
Parents who have raised concerns were reassured by academy staff that the mould in the premises would undergo a deep clean and daily cleaning would be provided.
However the use of cleaning products on the mould has led parents to believe these could also be factors in the poor health of their children.
Lisa Mann has a 13-year-old daughter in Year 9 who had no health issues when away from the school so took her to see a pediatrician.
She said: “Last winter she had an awful cough and had to be absent from school.
“She was coughing so much it was making her sick and she had sore, itchy eyes and headaches.
“We had numerous trips to the doctor and the pediatrician confirmed that something at the school is making her poorly.”
Another concern that parents have is that bleach and products being used to clean the mould could also be causing their children to have allergic reactions.
Mrs Mann also believes that not enough cleaning is being done and potentially the wrong products are being used having herself undergone training in damp and mould.
She said: “There is no cleaning on a daily basis and one factor is that there are so many different types of mould.
“They were steam-cleaning which surely caused more condensation.
“It is not a clean school and this exposure to damp and mould spores could lead to long-term medication and damage to the lungs.”
Mrs Mann would like funds to be invested now rather than waiting for the new build in two years’ time.
Parents feel they are being penalised for the number of absences or for refusing to allow their children to sit in the affected classrooms for lessons.
Mrs Mann said: “They miss their lessons because of the mould and we get absent letters which makes me quite angry.
“I have reported it to the Health and Safety Executive and asked to see a risk assessment as there is not one on the academy website.
“I keep repeating that this is not good enough and children should feel safe at school not ill.”
It has been reported that youngsters have asked to wear their coats or have blankets as the radiators are switched off but if they ask they may be penalised for their behaviour.
Nicholas Skinner, from Sutton Bridge, has five children at the school. He said: “My youngest is in Year 7 and has been treated for asthma.
“My child in Year 9 is on antibiotics, has had sore throats and have all had to have time off.”
“The doctor advised us that no child should be around mould and this is not just the kids but the staff as well.”
A statement from UALS assures that the issue is being tackled in a ‘serious and proactive way’.
It also addresses the age and condition of the current school facilities and actions that are being taken ‘to maintain a safe and healthy environment for learning and working.’
The academy said: “ (UALS) is committed to ensuring the well-being and safeguarding of all members of its school community, including students, staff, and visitors.
“The academy has already and continues to conduct multiple deep cleans using approved products specifically designed to target and eliminate mould and associated risks.
“These efforts are being carried out thoroughly to mitigate any potential impact on the school community.
“Under the school rebuild programme, UALS will undergo a total rebuild, with construction having already started.
“The new facilities, designed to provide an optimal environment for education, will offer state-of-the-art classrooms and amenities.”
It highlights that completion for the first phase of transitioning to the new facility is due by dpring 2026 and that ‘full completion of the project, ensuring the entire campus meets modern standards’ will be by autumn 2026.
The statement continues: “UALS continues to work closely with external agencies, including cleaning specialists, to ensure adherence to the highest standards of health and safety.
“While UALS eagerly anticipates the completion of its new facilities, the academy remains unwavering in its efforts to provide a safe and conducive learning environment in the interim.
“These immediate actions and long-term plans reaffirm UALS’s dedication to the health, safety, and success of its students and staff.
“The Leadership team appreciates the patience and understanding of the UALS community as these important steps are undertaken.”
It is understood that the school does not agree with the claim that bleach is used and says that the heating is switched on.
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