Alternative site for pupils of fire-damaged school

The fire started at the school last Sunday and has damaged its roof, dining hall and art centre , as well as utilities

A village school closed by a fire has said its secondary pupil site will remain shut for another week.

The fire broke out at St Martin's School in Moors Bank, near Oswestry, last Sunday afternoon, and engulfed the back of the building. Utilities were damaged as well as the art centre and dining room.

The school has now said the part of the building for secondary students will be closed next week but provision for Year 11 students has been made at another site for three days a week.

Fire crews were visiting the primary part of the school on Monday and a decision about its reopening would be made after that. The cause of the fire is not yet known but the fire service said it was not deliberate.

Head teacher Alison Pope thanked families for their support and said her top priority was the safety of pupils.

"Regrettably, we are unable to open the secondary phase as we do not have utilities on site including toilets, water, a working fire alarm and electricity (to parts of the building)," she wrote.

She added contractors were on-site, and the school was hoping to introduce temporary buildings, depending on insurer's quotes.

The school has been shut since the fire last Sunday

Arrangements have been made for Year 11 students to attend North Shropshire College's Oswestry campus for three days a week from 1 October, with classes taught by St Martin's staff.

Timetables and transport arrangements would be provided by email, Mrs Pope confirmed.

Alternative provision for other Year 11 students at Thomas Adams School would restart on Monday and Tuesday, she added, with all others in the year required to log in for online learning.

Volunteers have been opening the village hall to provide a place for students and school staff to meet, and pick up work.

Mrs Pope said this would continue next week between 10:00 and 14:00 BST, with staff on hand to provide guidance to students.

Alison Pope thanked families at St Martins for their patience

"We are working very hard to ensure that everything is in place to ensure school reopens as soon as possible," she said. "I do not underestimate how frustrating and challenging the school's closure continues to be for our families."

She also praised the community who had offered their help and also the pupils who had been distance learning.