A local squirrel has earned a place in the hearts of Woodhey students this week after its encounter with a high-voltage cable led to an unexpected early start to the weekend.
The adventurous rodent managed to achieve the impossible, by gnawing through a critical line at a nearby substation, the squirrel triggered a widespread blackout that left the school without power, internet, or basic utilities.
A Technical Standstill
The outage, which struck late Friday morning, created a significant logistical challenge for the school.
Beyond the loss of lighting and WiFi, the lack of electricity meant that essential systems for hot water and sanitation were unable to operate.
Faced with a lengthy wait for repairs and the inability to maintain a comfortable environment, the leadership team made the call to dismiss the students early after contacting parents.
Exemplary Student Response
Despite the sudden change in plans, the students have been praised for their mature and calm response. Staff noted that the atmosphere remained positive throughout the evacuation, with pupils handling the disruption with a level of common sense that did the school proud.
In a classic twist of timing, the lights flickered back on just as the students were heading home.
However, as the water systems required a period of recovery, the “squirrel-sanctioned” holiday remained in place.
Back to Business
Engineers have worked through the day to ensure the damaged substation is fully repaired and the cable replaced. The school has confirmed that all facilities are now fully operational, and the gates will open as normal on Monday morning.
While the “hero of the hour” may be back in the trees (doubt it), the legend of the squirrel that took down the National Grid is sure to be the main topic of conversation at the school gates next week.
