Vandals smash outdoor garden at Craigmarloch school in Port Glasgow

Louts left a trail of wanton descruction in their wake following a weekend smashing spree at Craigmarloch School in Port Glasgow.

Hardworking pupils were in shock when they arrived at school on Monday morning to discover that their sound den and a Euro 2024-themed planter box they had built had been destroyed.

Some of the youngsters – who had given up countless hours of their time to decorate and improve the outdoor area – wept when they saw the destruction.

But despite their anger, pupils and staff at the school rolled up their sleeves and pitched into help clear up the mess - as kind-hearted local organisations and charities reached out to offer their support.

Ruth Bennett, who is one of the school’s outdoor learning teachers, told the Telegraph that the school’s young people were outraged when they saw the state the garden was left in.

She said: “The young people are so angry and furious, because they put so much effort and care in. They were heartbroken when they came in and saw it.

“S1 and S2s in particular had worked on the sound den over the last few weeks as part of their JASS award (Junior Award Scheme for Schools).

“Most of the classes in the school had access to it during the nice weather last week, particularly the youngsters who were in wheelchairs or were less mobile.

“They’re damaging play resources for children who don’t have the same opportunities as other youngsters.

“For some of them this is the only outdoor space they have access to.

“The young people are very annoyed and feel that whoever did this should be brought to task somehow.”

After gaining access to the outdoor area, the mindless yobs tore down ropes made of colourful wool that the pupils had tied to the school’s sound garden, which was full of items for people with sensory issues to enjoy.

The Euro Box which the school’s S6s and P7s had worked on was heavily damaged and flags which the children had made out of recyclable materials to adorn the sides were also torn down.

Ruth said the outdoor area is a very important space for the children and that steps would be taken to restore and repair it as quickly as possible.

She added: “This is an important place that children need and want to use.

“All of the classes that were involved in making it were upset, even the young people who had just made use of it were upset.

“It’s been so heartening to have had so many offers of help from the community.

“We’ll be contacting those who reached out to us to see what they can help us with.

“We want to try and repair as much of this as we can as quickly as we can, but that’s not to say we’re not appreciative of what other help has been offered.”