Arsonists torched the primary school's £40,000 playground after it was announced that the Duchess of Cambridge will visit the Wythenshawe estate - where the Chanel 4 show is set - later this month
Blaze: The playground was torched by arsonists MEN
A primary school on the deprived estate where Channel 4’s Shameless is filmed has been targeted by arsonists just hours after it was announced that Kate Middleton is set to visit.
The Duchess of Cambridge will be the special guest at the Willows Primary School, on the Wythenshawe estate in Manchester, which has been rated “outstanding†by inspectors.
But just hours after the news announced yesterday, firebugs torched the super-school’s £40,000 playground climbing frame.
The blaze completely gutted the play area, which Kate was due to be shown when she visits to launch a new charity initiative later this month.
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Community spirit: Staff and locals have vowed to rebuild the playground MEN
ÂBut staff are refusing to let the arsonists win and have have vowed to pull out all the stops to ensure the school is ready for the Duchess’s arrival on April 23.
Local residents and businesses have already offered help to rebuild the playground, known as ‘The Fort’.
Headteacher Ann Whitehead said: "We were all devastated when we heard about the fire but we're not going to let them beat us.â€
She added that the attack does not reflect the true spirit of the community.
"Wythenshawe is a great place to grow up in with every primary school in Wythenshawe now either good or outstanding,†she told the Manchester Evening News.
The Duchess of Cambridge will visit Willows Primary School, to announce a new initiative by charity Place2Be and Comic Relief to help those affected by alcohol and substance abuse.
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And she will also have a chance to meet families and hear of their lives on the Wythenshawe state, which is used as a backdrop for the Channel 4 comedy drama Shameless.
Three 13-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of arson following the fire.
Greater Manchester Police Inspector Caroline Hemmingway said: "These arson attacks caused significant damage but could easily have resulted in far more serious consequences if the fire had spread to the school.
"There has been an overwhelming response from the community, local residents, students, councillors, community wardens, police officers and staff have been out in force and have between them pledged to rebuild the playground."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/kate-middleton-shameless-set-school-1827033
