Four schools in Middlesbrough are preparing to dismiss pupils early today as the community gets ready to say goodbye to 17-year-old Theo Rae, one of seven people who died in the devastating A66 collision last month.
Outwood Academy Acklam is scheduled to finish at 12.15pm, while Newham Bridge Primary School will send pupils home at 1pm.
Acklam Whin Primary School and Green Lane School will both close at 1.15pm, following lunchtime.
The schools returned from the summer break only a week ago, meaning the latest closures have quickly become a source of controversy among local families and politicians.
Theo Rae funeral to take place at Teesside Crematorium
Rae’s funeral is due to take place at Teesside Crematorium this afternoon, with friends, relatives and other mourners expected to gather to pay their respects.
The early school finishes were decided independently by the individual schools rather than being imposed by Middlesbrough Council or Cleveland Police.
Middlesbrough Council said the schools had made their decisions because of concerns that the funeral could lead to localised traffic congestion and delays in the surrounding area.
Closures mirror those made for Jakub Matusiak’s funeral
Today’s arrangements come only three days after schools in nearby South Bank also closed early ahead of the funeral of 23-year-old Jakub Matusiak, another victim of the A66 crash.
That funeral ultimately passed peacefully, with Cleveland Police reporting that the event concluded without incident and caused only very limited traffic disruption.
Despite the peaceful outcome, the decision to close schools has continued to attract criticism, particularly from Conservative politicians who argue that disruption linked to criminality should not interfere with children’s education.
Kemi Badenoch attacks the decision
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has strongly criticised the latest early closures, arguing that the Government should be doing more to ensure schools remain open.
Responding on X, Badenoch described the decision as “obscene” and accused Labour Education Secretary Lucy Powell of failing to intervene.
She claimed the closures represented a dangerous precedent and argued that allowing concerns over gang-related disorder to influence the running of schools sent the wrong message.
Badenoch also accused the Government of being too weak to protect law-abiding members of the public, intensifying the political dispute surrounding the funerals.
Laura Trott previously criticised school closures
The latest criticism follows comments from Conservative MP Laura Trott, who previously argued that schools should remain open so children could continue learning.
Trott made the remarks after schools were closed early ahead of Matusiak’s funeral, with the decision becoming a political flashpoint in the aftermath of the crash.
Authorities, however, have repeatedly stressed that schools and other organisations have not been instructed to shut early.
The A66 crash claimed seven lives
The controversy stems from the fatal collision on August 22, when a Volkswagen Passat travelled in the wrong direction along the A66 near Middlesbrough at about 3.39am.
The vehicle collided head-on with a Cleveland Police car, killing both officers inside.
PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died in the crash, along with all five occupants of the Passat.
Those passengers were named as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, and teenagers Theo Rae and Cole Robert Worthy, both aged 17.
Police investigation continues amid organised crime concerns
The tragedy has since led to a significant police investigation into suspected serious and organised criminal activity, with dozens of people arrested following the collision.
Police have also examined the backgrounds and possible connections of those involved.
Four of the men travelling in the Passat were previously reported to have had at least 37 convictions between them.
The circumstances have contributed to heightened tensions in parts of Middlesbrough, including around memorial events held for those who died.
Police prepare for another major presence
Cleveland Police is expected to maintain a visible presence around the area during Rae’s funeral, as it did during Matusiak’s service.
However, the force has emphasised that it has not ordered schools or other organisations to close.
Instead, decisions about early finishes have been left to individual organisations, which have been able to assess the potential impact of each funeral on traffic, safety and local operations.
