Millbay Academy in Plymouth, often referred to as the "Red School," has been closed as a precaution after the discovery of two mysterious metal objects buried nearby. The items, suspected to
be World War II ordnance, were unearthed during preparatory groundworks for a planned community housing development on adjacent council-owned land.
The closure was initiated by the council to ensure safety while experts investigate the origin and nature of the objects. While the council emphasized that the items might simply be remnants of historical infrastructure, such as reinforced concrete or old railway tracks from a station once located in the area, further inspection is necessary.
Local MP Luke Pollard addressed the situation on Facebook, describing the objects as “magnetic” and acknowledging public concern given Plymouth’s experience with wartime ordnance in the past.
“After our experience with the Second World War bomb in Keyham, I understand that some people might be worried about what these objects could be,” Pollard said.
He assured residents that experts, including military bomb disposal teams and specialists from Brimstone UXO, are investigating the site. “There will be no need to evacuate or extend the existing cordon, which is currently limited to the site itself, during this work,” he added.
However, Pollard warned that if the objects are confirmed to be World War II ordnance, further steps would be taken. “Experts will assess the device(s) to determine their size, stability, and the safest method for disposal. In rare cases, this could involve extending the cordon.”
Millbay Academy announced the closure on its website, stating:
“Millbay Academy will be closed to secondary school students on Monday, 18th November 2024, as a precautionary measure. This decision supports safety during investigative work on two underground objects identified near the school site. While these items are likely harmless remnants of old infrastructure, further inspection will be carried out by Local Authority experts to confirm.”
To minimize disruption to students’ education, the school has arranged for online learning resources to be made available via Google Classroom.
The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be shared once experts have determined the nature of the objects. The council has reiterated that safety remains the top priority and has reassured the community that all necessary precautions are being taken. Photo by millbayacademy.org, Wikimedia commons.