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A growing controversy over school closures in the wake of a deadly highway crash has deepened in the English town of Middlesbrough, as several schools plan to dismiss students early Monday for the funeral of a 17-year-old victim. This marks the second time in a week that local schools have adjusted schedules to accommodate funeral processions linked to the August 22 crash on the A66 road, which killed seven people, including two police officers.
Theo Rae, a teenager from the area, was one of five occupants in a car that drove the wrong way on the A66 near Middlesbrough in the early hours of August 22, colliding head-on with a Cleveland Police vehicle. The incident claimed the lives of Rae, the four other car occupants, and two officers. The funeral for Rae is scheduled for Monday afternoon at Teesside Crematorium in Acklam, Middlesbrough. The funeral cortege is expected to travel through several main roads, including Ladgate Lane, Ormesby Road, Cargo Fleet Lane, and Acklam Road, leading to St. Bede’s Chapel on Acklam Road.
Middlesbrough Council confirmed that some schools have chosen to close early on Monday, with one primary school stating that the decision ensures “safe transit home for all our families.” The closures follow a similar pattern from the previous week, when schools in neighboring South Bank dismissed students early for the funeral of Jakub Matusiak, another victim of the crash. Police reported that the earlier funeral “passed without issue” and caused “very minimal traffic disruption.”
The decision to close schools has drawn sharp political criticism. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch called the repeated closures “obscene,” accusing the Labour government of failing to intervene. “Lucy Powell should be ashamed that she has refused to intervene,” Badenoch posted on X, referring to the Education Secretary. “It was bad enough that schools closed early last week but it is completely unfathomable that the Labour government has not stopped it happening again this week.”
In response, Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, Luke Myer, pushed back, saying he was “sick of politicians like Kemi Badenoch trying to score political points when we on Teesside are dealing with a tragedy.” Myer pointed out that since the Conservative government spun off most schools into academy trusts, local headteachers now make independent decisions about closures, free from direct political control. “So it’s ridiculous to somehow claim it’s Labour’s fault,” he added.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell had earlier stated that she trusts headteachers to make decisions that keep their communities safe. The controversy highlights the tension between local autonomy and centralized oversight in England’s education system, where most secondary schools and many primaries operate as academies independent of local councils.
The A66 crash itself has shaken the Teesside community. The five victims in the wrong-way car were identified as Theo Rae, 17, along with Jakub Matusiak, 18, and three others ages 20, 21, and 29. The two Cleveland Police officers who died were named as Sergeant Andrew Miller and Constable Joel Smith, both experienced members of the force. The crash remains under investigation, with authorities probing how the vehicle entered the A66 in the wrong direction.
As the second funeral approaches, traffic warnings have been issued for the affected roads in Middlesbrough during the afternoon. Police advised motorists to plan alternate routes and expect delays. Local residents have expressed mixed feelings about the school closures—some appreciate the safety measures, while others question the disruption to education.
In the United States, similar debates occur when school districts close for funerals of police officers or community members, but the frequency of such closures is rare. In England, the decision to close schools for funerals of crash victims is not unprecedented, but the back-to-back closures have amplified the political discourse. Some education experts argue that headteachers should be trusted to manage local risks, while others call for statewide guidelines to prevent politicization.
The tragedy has also prompted calls for improved road safety on the A66, a major route that has seen multiple fatal accidents. Campaigners are urging the government to install better barriers and signage to prevent wrong-way driving incidents. The debate over school closures, however, remains the immediate focus for many families in Middlesbrough as they prepare to say goodbye to another young life.
Published on September 9, 2024. This article has been updated to reflect the latest school closure decisions and political reactions.
