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Teachers trapped in school by parked car outside St Michael's Church of England Junior School, Maidstone

It's every pupil's worst nightmare, trapped in a school after hours.

But it became a reality for two Maidstone primary school teachers yesterday.

Alice Sutton and Wing Tsang were trapped inside St Michaels CofE Junior School by a parked vehicle
Alice Sutton and Wing Tsang were trapped inside St Michaels CofE Junior School by a parked vehicle

A parked vehicle blocked the exit to St Michael's C of E Junior School, meaning two of the school's teachers were stuck on the wrong side of the fence.

Alice Sutton and Wing Tsang went to leave work at 6.30pm, but found their exit blocked.

This isn't the first time it's happened either.

Sue Heather, head of the Douglas Road school, said: "It doesn't happen a lot, but it happens enough that it impacts people.

"Some people may think teachers and staff leave at 3pm but that isn't the case.

John F Hunt Power has apologised profusely for parking in front of the school gates (26825660)
John F Hunt Power has apologised profusely for parking in front of the school gates (26825660)

"We've spoken to the company who owned the vehicle and they couldn't more apologetic. I live locally and appreciate there are a lot of parking issues around here.

"I understand how difficult it must be to come home and find a parking space. I think people don't look and see there's cars in our car park."

Fortunately one of the teaching pair's partners was able to give them both a lift home. The driver has been banned from using his company's vehicles outside of officer hours.

John F Hunt responded to the school by saying: "On behalf of John F Hunt Group, we would like to apologise to all concerned regarding the inconsiderate nature of our Hire Centres’ driver, who parked a company vehicle across the school gates yesterday evening.

"We appreciate this would have caused significant inconvenience to staff who were attempting to get home at the end of the day.

"The driver of this vehicle has been reprimanded and will be enrolled in a Van Smart refresher course in line with our FORS accreditation. He will no longer have access to our vehicles outside of business hours."

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone.

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