UK COMPUTERS STOLEN http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/news/Ilkeston-school39s-anger-over-13k.6065380.jp

Thursday, 11th February 2010

Ilkeston school's anger over 13k theft

Published Date: 11 February 2010

PUPILS and staff at an Ilkeston school have been left counting the cost after thieves stole computers used for exam coursework in a £13,000 raid.

Pupils and teachers have been left fuming after a gang of burglars took just four minutes to break into the music department of Ilkeston Specialist Arts College on King George Avenue on Sunday evening and steal the Apple iMacs used by GCSE music

students for their coursework.

The school believes the gang's members knew exactly what they were looking for because they were equipped with angle grinders to crop bolts on the school gates. They also used them to cut security wire which fixed the computers to desks.

A passer-by called the police after she saw the getaway car speed out of the school gates as the gang fled at about 7.50pm. The time the raid took is known because as the gang kicked in the school doors it was recorded by a door alarm as being four minutes earlier.

Head of music Charlie Cartwright said: "Every single scheme of work I have planned for this term was based around those computers. Every year group is going to be affected by it.

"I felt physically sick when I came in on Monday. The students are so angry with it."

The computers were valued at roughly £1,200 each and were bought by the school only last year specifically for use by GCSE students. The gang caused an estimated £3,000 of damage during the raid.

The computers were used by students to compose music for their coursework.

Headteacher Steve Daniels said this week that although their coursework had not been lost, it would cause pupils a lot of disruption until they were able to get replacement equipment.

He said: "It's a downer for all the students – the computers were an integral part of their learning as they had robust software on them that was ideal for composing music for their GCSE coursework."

Mr Daniels added: "Until they are replaced the coursework component will have to be suspended, but they haven't lost any work that can't be redeemed later."

Mr Cartwright had organised a showcase of the students' work involving Hallam Fields and Granby junior schools next month that the Ilkeston School music students can now no longer provide the music for.

A GCSE pupil at the school said: "I don't know what we're going to do – all our coursework involved Garageband on the Macs."

A Year Eight pupil said: "We've waited ages to use the Macs and now we have the opportunity they've been stolen."

The woman who spotted the car described it to police as a very clean, medium-sized blue hatchback. She gave a partial number plate to police who have yet to trace the vehicle.

Anyone with information should call police on 0345 1233333 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.