County Durham school is evacuated after a 'chemical spill' just hours before pupils were due in its new building

Greenfield Academy in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was evacuated after a chemical spill struck on Monday while equipment was being moved into the school's new building — with pupils only hours away from returning from half-term.

Four fire appliances attended and firefighters arrived in hazmat suits; specialist contractors subsequently cleaned the site and declared it safe.

Some parents had raised doubts about the building's safety before executive headteacher James Keating stepped in to confirm that all checks had been carried out.

The new building features a teaching block, a sports hall extension, and refurbished Music, Drama and main hall facilities.