A string of schools in Middlesbrough have taken the exceptional decision to close early on Friday, September 4, ahead of the funeral of a young man killed in a high-profile head-on collision on the A66. The closures have sparked intensive local debates and prompted direct intervention from the UK Government, with the Education Secretary acknowledging deep-seated “anxieties and worries” within the affected communities.
Tensions Rise Ahead of South Bank Service
The early closures come ahead of the funeral of 23-year-old Jakub Matusiak, which is scheduled to take place at St John the Evangelist Church on Normanby Road in South Bank. Matusiak was one of five occupants of a Volkswagen Passat who died on August 22 when their vehicle, travelling the wrong way down a dual carriageway while being pursued by police, collided with an armed response vehicle.
As The Northern Echo reported, local concerns have mounted over potential public disruption, dangerous driving, and anti-social behavior. Previous memorials and vigils associated with the crash victims have drawn crowds of motorbikes and quad bikes, some of which resulted in community friction. In one instance, a vigil for another victim, Michael Cahill, in Haswell, County Durham, escalated when a crowd set fire to several vehicles, raising fears among Middlesbrough residents and administrators about the potential for similar unrest.
The Fatal Collision and Its Aftermath
The underlying tragedy that precipitated these events occurred in the early hours of August 22 on the A66. The head-on collision claimed a total of seven lives. Among the deceased were two Cleveland Police officers, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, who were inside the marked police vehicle. The five young men in the Volkswagen Passat—including Matusiak, Cole Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and Michael Cahill, 23—were all killed. Authorities have confirmed that while the Passat had been subject to a police pursuit, the pursuit had been officially called off prior to the fatal impact.
The incident has triggered a massive policing response. In the days following the crash, Cleveland Police launched a major crackdown on serious and organised crime in the region, resulting in 27 arrests. Meanwhile, a public fundraiser established to support the families of the two fallen police officers quickly surpassed £1.2 million, demonstrating the deep polarization and intense public emotion surrounding the tragedy.
Political Clash Over Public Safety and Education
The decision to close schools early has drawn sharp criticism from political figures who argue that children’s education should not be compromised by fear of disorder. Stockton West MP Matt Vickers stated firmly that schools “should never be forced to close because a safe journey home cannot be guaranteed,” calling the situation unacceptable. Another Conservative MP echoed these sentiments, writing that “intimidation must never be tolerated” and demanding that the government ensure criminal elements do not disrupt the school system.
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council leader Alec Brown described the disruption to children’s learning as “awful.” While Cllr Brown emphasized that he respects the rights of families to grieve and recognizes that funerals are deeply personal occasions, he condemned any dangerous driving or anti-social behavior as entirely unacceptable.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Education Secretary Lucy Powell sought to defuse the political tension. Powell emphasized that she trusted headteachers to make the necessary operational judgments to keep their pupils and staff safe, noting that the decisions were made in close coordination with local police and municipal authorities. Powell revealed that she had been in communication with local MPs and Home Office ministers to secure “surge policing and extra resources” to calm tensions and ensure the streets remain safe during the service, adding that “this is not a time for party political point scoring.”
Local Impact and Precautionary Closures
The precautionary early closures have affected several key educational and medical facilities in the South Bank and Normanby areas. According to reports from the Manchester Evening News, institutions shutting their doors around midday on Friday include South Bank Primary School, Outwood Academy Normanby, Archway Academy Teesville, and St Margaret Clitherow’s Catholic Primary School. St Peter’s is also expected to close early, while the Mackenzie Thorpe School opted to remain closed for the entire day. Additionally, the Normanby Medical Centre, situated on Normanby Road near the church, announced early closure to mitigate risks associated with the expected crowds.
Tammy Cooper, head teacher of South Bank Primary School, explained that the decision was reached after careful consideration of how the funeral would affect home-to-school transport and the safety of families at the end of the school day. Mark Robinson, principal of Outwood Academy Normanby, echoed these safety priorities in a formal letter to parents, confirming that the school would close at noon following consultations with municipal authorities.