Middlesbrough schools shut early for second time as A66 joyrider's funeral took place

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Theo Rae, 17, was one of five young men travelling the wrong way down the A66 when their car collided with a police vehicle last month.

The council said several schools would close early, and one primary school said it would “ensure safe transit home for all our families”.

Middlesbrough Council said some schools had chosen to close early "based on the possibility of localised traffic disruption leading to delays later in the afternoon".

It comes after four schools in Middlesbrough closed early on Friday for Jakub Matusiak's funeral, another one of the five young men killed.

Read more: Hundreds of mourners gather for funeral of A66 crash victim as Middlesbrough goes into lockdown

Read more: Tributes paid to ‘lovely lad’ with 'zest for life' who died from single stab wound after car crash

Hundreds of people gathered in Middlesbrough’s South Bank for the procession, with police saying it "passed without issue" and with "very minimal traffic disruption".

Rae's funeral is set to take place at Teesside Crematorium in Acklam.

Outwood Academy Acklam closed at 12.15 pm, Newham Bridge Primary School at 1 pm and Acklam Whin Primary School and Green Lane School in Acklam at 1.15 pm ahead of the procession.

Mr Rae, 17; Jakub Matusiak, 23; Cole Worthy, 17; Makai Saddington, 18; and Michael Cahill, 23, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The two police officers in the other vehicle: Pc Matthew Blades, 37; and Pc Tom Clough, 38; were also killed in the incident.

The leader of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has branded the decision “obscene”, slamming education secretary Lucy Powell for not intervening.

"Lucy Powell should be ashamed that she has refused to intervene," she wrote on X.

Ms Badenoch added: "It is also a kick in the teeth to the police officers being asked to defend parents, teachers and children from the very thugs involved in the violence that killed two of their own.

"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."

The education secretary was quick to hit back at Ms Badenoch's comments, writing on X: "Another ill-judged attempt at political point-scoring from Kemi.

"School attendance and keeping schools open is my absolute priority, as is the safety of all children."

Ms Powell added: "The Conservatives used to champion school autonomy. Now, apparently, they want me signing off every decision a headteacher makes."

It comes after South Bank Primary School said it would be closing at 12 pm on Friday “to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our pupils”.

In a message posted on social media, head teacher Tammy Cooper said: "A funeral is being held locally at St John’s church on Normanby Road that day, and we are expecting large numbers of people in the area which will inevitably cause congestion and transport disruption in the immediate area.

“This decision has been reached after careful consideration of the potential impact on the departure of pupils, staff and families.

“We recognise the inconvenience this may cause and thank our families for their understanding and co-operation.”

Ms Cooper said the school also recognises “some pupils may feel upset or anxious about the funeral taking place locally” and the pastoral team would be available for support.

In a letter to parents, Mark Robinson, principal of Outwood Academy in Normanby, said the school would also close from midday after discussions between local headteachers and the council.

A vigil for Mr Cahill last week prompted criticism from MPs and police after a crowd set fire to a number of cars in Haswell, County Durham.