MIDDLESBROUGH SCHOOLS SHUT EARLY FOR FUNERAL — HEADTEACHERS ACCUSED OF ‘GIVING IN TO THUGS’

Several Middlesbrough schools closed early as hundreds of mourners were expected to gather for the funeral of 23-year-old Jakub Matusiak — triggering a fierce political row over safety, education and fears of disorder.

Four schools in the Middlesbrough area closed their doors around lunchtime on Friday, September 4, ahead of Matusiak’s funeral at St John the Evangelist Church on Normanby Road.

Officials warned that large crowds, motorcycles and quad bikes were expected in the South Bank area, with concerns that the funeral could cause significant congestion and transport disruption.

But the decision immediately became controversial.

‘SHOULD CHILDREN REALLY HAVE TO GO HOME?’

Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott criticised the decision, arguing that children should not lose classroom time because of concerns about disorder.

Her criticism focused on the principle that schools should remain open and that authorities should ensure adequate policing rather than allow the threat of disruption to interfere with education.

The controversy led to accusations that authorities were effectively allowing fears surrounding the funeral to dictate normal life in the community.

However, school leaders said their decisions were based on safety assessments rather than political considerations.

South Bank Primary School said it would close at midday to protect the “safety and wellbeing” of pupils. Headteacher Tammy Cooper said the expected crowds could inevitably create congestion and transport problems around the school.

Other schools also made similar decisions after discussions with local authorities and transport providers.

WHY WAS THERE SO MUCH FEAR?

The concern did not come out of nowhere.

Matusiak was one of five young men who died in the horrific A66 crash on August 22.

A Volkswagen Passat carrying the five men was travelling the wrong way along the dual carriageway when it collided head-on with a marked police vehicle.

The crash killed Matusiak, 23, along with Cole Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and Michael Cahill, 23.

Two Cleveland Police officers — PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38 — were also killed.

The aftermath of the crash was followed by disorder at a vigil for another victim, with police and politicians expressing concern about further disturbances.

Cleveland Police had also warned that large numbers of people could attend the funeral and said its operation was focused on keeping the public safe while minimising disruption.

HUNDREDS TURN OUT FOR JAKUB’S FUNERAL

Despite the fears, hundreds of mourners eventually gathered outside St John the Evangelist Church.

Many wore black and orange — Matusiak’s favourite colour — while the funeral procession featured two white horses, a white Rolls-Royce and a Lamborghini.

The coffin was decorated with orange and white flowers and carried the word “son” on its top.

Roads around the church were closed as mourners arrived.

Yet the disorder some had feared did not materialise.

Cleveland Police later said the funeral had passed without issue and with very minimal traffic disruption.

THE ROW IS FAR FROM OVER

Education Secretary Lucy Powell defended the decisions made by individual headteachers, stressing that pupil safety and wellbeing had to come first.

Police also made clear that schools and other organisations had not been ordered to close. Instead, individual organisations made their own decisions based on their risk assessments.

That distinction has become central to the debate.

For critics, closing schools because of anticipated disruption risks sending the wrong message.

For school leaders, sending children home early was a precaution designed to protect pupils, staff and families in an unusually tense environment.

And after the funeral passed largely peacefully, one question remains:

Were the early closures an unnecessary concession to fears of disorder — or exactly the kind of precaution schools should take when public safety is uncertain?

With more funerals for victims of the A66 crash expected in the days ahead, Middlesbrough is now preparing for the next test.