Hammersmith school closed amid two-day police stand-off with man on roof

Sami Quadri

20 June 2024 at 6:30 am·2-min read

A school in Hammersmith has been closed for three days due to a police stand-off with a man who climbed onto the roof.

Officers were called to Sacred Heart High School at about 9.20pm on Monday to reports of a man on the roof of the main building.

The tense stand-off has lasted for more than two days, with specialist negotiators deployed in a desperate bid to persuade the man to come down.

Sacred Heart High School, a Catholic comprehensive for girls aged 11 to 18, remains closed on Thursday, with all classes moved to online learning following the incident.

A letter to parents from headteacher Mrs S O’Donovan, seen by the Standard, says: “On Monday night a man with mental health difficulties climbed up and onto one part of the roof of our main building.

“The police contained the situation early on but as I send this letter out the situation is not yetresolved. Specialist negotiators have been on site throughout the day.

“The police assured me that the separate and completely self-contained Calder Building was safe and secure to use for public exams this morning and senior staff were on hand to direct students into that building only. No student had access to the main building.

“The police then wanted to attempt a further strategy to remove the intruder from the school. I insisted that this strategy could not take place until all students were off site. Throughout this incident the safeguarding of students has been my priority.”

Only students sitting A-Level exams and the Senior Management Team are allowed on-site.

Exam students have been told to arrive at the Bute Gardens Gate by 8.15am for morning exams and by 12.45pm for afternoon exams, where they will be escorted to the exam hall at nearby St Paul’s Girls’ School.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said officers “remain in attendance and continue to engage withthe man with the aim of bringing the situation to a safe conclusion”.

Sacred Heart High School has been contacted for comment.

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