'There is shock that this happened to our school'

Emma Pryer says it has been a challenging start to the school year

"For most parents, there's a sense of shock, sadness and disbelief this could have happened to our beloved school."

Emma Pryer is a mum of a year four pupil at Julian's Primary School in Streatham, south London.

On 23 August there was a fire at the school, which damaged part of the roof, and the pupils were not able to return at the start of term on Wednesday.

Parents told BBC London they were informed in an email that pupils will not be able to return to their school until the new year and while the council seeks an alternative site, children will not have any school to go to until 15 September, at the earliest.

The school referred BBC London to Lambeth Council, which said: "We understand the inconvenience this has caused for pupils and families, and our priority is enabling all the children to continue their education with as little disruption as possible."

The LFB received six calls about the school fire in the early hours of 23 August

Ms Pryer said the school had been part of her family life for more than seven years, as both of her children have attended.

She added: "It has been challenging. But as a school community, we're very tight knit. And I think what's been so brilliant is the parents have really rallied around during this time to help each other.

"There's been a lot of tag-teaming. It's been an absolute lifesaver for a lot of us trying to work.

"We are in no man's land right now. But the school have been brilliant at keeping us up to date every step of the way. I think the school understands that parents are naturally concerned about how this term is going to play out."

Izabela Beveridge's six-year-old son was due to start year two on Wednesday. She told BBC London: "I lost my job recently and I can't afford to put him into a club or camp.

"I am having to stay at home and put off job-seeking and trying to make sure he doesn't just watch TV all day, but also needing to get my own things done."

She said she was concerned that if the alternative site was a drive or bus ride away, it could make things very difficult: "I can't think of a school close by that is going to be able to take all the children."

Ms Beveridge added: "We haven't been told anything about what to teach them today but I know the school are busy trying to work out to what do.

"It seems like there will have to be some home-schooling and we just want to know what is going to happen."

The school and council are considering options to use an alternative site

Lambeth Council said: "Parents have been informed that Streatham children will be unable to return to school next week, while we prepare an alternative site once it has been secured. We expect to provide an update on the new site by the end of this week.

"Julian's and the council are keeping all families regularly updated as plans progress. Additionally, we are exploring options to support transport arrangements once the new site is confirmed."

The London Fire Brigade previously said the fire was being treated as accidental, and is believed to have been caused by works going on at the school.