Four schools in Middlesbrough, England, are closing early on September 7, 2026, to accommodate the funeral of 17-year-old Theo Rae, one of seven individuals who died in a recent A66 crash. Outwood Academy Acklam will dismiss students at 12:15 p.m., Newham Bridge Primary School at 1 p.m., and Acklam Whin Primary School and Green Lane School at 1:15 p.m.
Middlesbrough Council stated that individual schools made the decisions due to concerns about potential traffic disruptions caused by the funeral procession. This early closure follows a similar event just three days prior, when schools in neighboring South Bank closed early for the funeral of 23-year-old Jakub Matusiak, another victim of the same crash.
The decision to close schools has ignited a political debate, with Conservative leaders criticizing the move. Conservative MP Laura Trott had previously voiced that schools "should stay open for children to learn." Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, condemned the repeated closures on the social media platform X, stating, "It's obscene that this is happening again. It is the duty of government to keep schools open, yet the Labour Education Secretary is allowing gang violence to dictate the lives of law-abiding citizens." Badenoch further criticized Education Secretary Lucy Powell, asserting that "she has refused to intervene" and that the situation "sets a terrible precedent and sends a message to criminals and thugs across the country that this Labour government is too weak to keep its people safe from them."
The fatal crash occurred on August 22 when a Volkswagen Passat traveling the wrong way on the A66 collided head-on with a Cleveland Police vehicle. The incident resulted in the deaths of PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, in the police car. The five occupants of the Passat—Michael Robert Cahill, 23; Jakub Matusiak, 23; Makai Saddington, 18; Theo Rae, 17; and Cole Robert Worthy, 17—also died.
The crash has prompted a significant police investigation into suspected serious and organized criminal activity, leading to numerous arrests. Reports indicate that four of the men in the Passat had a combined total of at least 37 previous convictions, and authorities are examining potential links to organized crime. Cleveland Police are expected to maintain a visible presence during Rae's funeral, similar to their approach during Matusiak's service, which passed without significant incident or traffic disruption according to Cleveland Police.
Police have emphasized that no orders were issued for schools or other organizations to close, and that decisions regarding early dismissals are made independently by each institution based on their own assessments of potential disruption. The previous funeral for Matusiak saw mourners dressed in orange and some wearing masks, with a memorial event in South Bank featuring flares and balloons.