Storm-damaged Royston school reopens with temporary buildings

The school said it would welcome students back to the school thanks to the temporary structures

A school that has been partially closed due to storm damage has announced it will reopen in temporary structures.

King James Academy in Royston, Hertfordshire, was damaged by Storm Henk, which blew off part of the roof and caused significant flooding.

Students have been receiving remote education since January.

The school said it would reopen to all secondary aged pupils on Wednesday after the installation of a temporary school on its playing field.

Head teacher Lisa Plowman said: "The quality of our temporary buildings are of an excellent standard and they will improve the facilities of our secondary pupils."

The cladding at the King James Academy was significantly damaged

The temporary site will include so-called break-out spaces and new welfare facilities.

"This is something that the student council have requested, but due to the historical design of the building, has not been possible to provide up until now," said Ms Plowman.

Contractors appointed by the Department for Education built the temporary school on the playing field nearest Royston Leisure centre.

The school said roofing and refurbishment of the main buildings would still take about six months.

A spokesperson said the weather had affected the start of the roofing work but was now "progressing well".

Parent Tracy Durrant said it was "frustrating it has taken so long but the kids are going back to school, which is so important".