A Newcastle school which has been closed for more than two weeks following Storm Babet has been criticised for leaving families in "limbo."

Jesmond Park Academy, in Heaton, shut on October 19 for the safety of pupils and staff after its roof suffered "extensive damage."

Since then pupils have been learning from home, with parents urged to check the school's website daily for updates on when the school might reopen. A statement posted on the Jesmond Park Academy website on Friday, November 3 said that the school would remain closed after half term but hoped to reopen on Wednesday, November 8.

• READ MORE: Storm-damaged Newcastle school set to stay shut after half-term holidays
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It said: "We are hopeful that the school will be open at some point next week and we are working towards Wednesday. Please continue to plan for the school being closed until we are able to confirm the day and continue to check our website regularly for updates.

"We will also keep you updated using text messaging and social media with any further information as soon as we are able to. "

However, parent Kevin Ross, who has a child in Year 10, has hit out at the lack of information from the school and the length of time it is taking to resolve the issue, saying families have been "left in limbo."

"More than two weeks [after the damage] we have just had an update from the school to inform us that the school will still be closed on Monday, November 6, with no proposed date for re-opening," he said.

"I sent a letter to the Gosforth Group CEO and Jesmond Park Academy head late last week querying the extent of the damage, but the website states they will not reply individually and will only issue statements through the school website.

"I feel they are neglecting their duty to these pupils whose education has already suffered so much during the lockdowns and school closures.

"During this period of disruption, there is very limited online classroom teaching from one or two teachers. There is a huge disservice being done to the pupils from all connected to this school.

"There are a large number of pupils at the school who are now in limbo not knowing when their education will begin again. Parents and guardians will also be losing further employment time whilst having to stay at home."

Chronicle Live understands that the situation has been escalated to the Minister for Education and that temporary onsite accommodation for students to continue their learning is one of the options being considered by school bosses.

A statement posted on the Gosforth Group multi-academy trust’s website on Friday told families it cannot commit to a precise day when the school will reopen.

It said: "The reports relating to the full perimeter inspection of the roof were submitted and have been reviewed by our structural engineer and legal advisors. We are hopeful that the school will be open at some point next week.

"We are working towards Wednesday, but until we are satisfied that the internal environment is clean and secure, we cannot commit to the precise day. We will update you as soon as we have further details. "

Meanwhile, Newcastle Lib Dem councillor Wendy Taylor, who represents the Dene and South Gosforth ward, called the lack of information and delay in reopening "ridiculous."

"Parents are utterly fed up," she said. "It's day by day and they have just heard that it is not going to reopen on Monday.

"Why does the whole school need to close? That's what parents are asking.

"Why are they not providing portacabins for kids studying for their exams? They seem very slow to react.

"I don't feel enough information is being given to parents. They should know how much damage there is by now, how long it is going to take to repair, and what arrangements could be made in the meantime.

"They have had the whole of half term to sort it out and the week before. It is getting a bit ridiculous there is no answer yet.

"It is not good enough, particularly for the kids getting exams this year, they can't afford to take time off."