Wells community raises £40,000 for Blue School

The Blue School in Wellss had to close 20 classrooms in December

A school with "significant cracking" in its floors has received more than £40,000 from the community within a few days.

The Blue School in Wells, Somerset, had to close 20 classrooms in December.

Parents, businesses and residents have now got together to pay for outdoor covering for students to socialise in.

Headteacher Mark Woodlock said in a thank you letter to donors: "Your generosity has given hope and that is a remarkably precious commodity."

Rachel Sherman, who sent two of her children to Blue School, set up the fundraiser on Friday with a target of £30,000.

In a letter to those who contributed, Mr Woodlock described the fundraising efforts as "extraordinary".

Mark Woodlock said the support was "overwhelming"

He said: "I hope that you reflect upon what this means for yourselves and those around you.

"As so many of you have said, this says something quite extraordinary about the strength of this community.

"Please consider how your positive actions have demonstrated the importance of this to our students."

Money raised over the £30,000 target will be used to "enhance the student experience", Mr Woodlock said.

"We have been already started the planning for what we may use any additional funds for, above those needed for the canopy.

"We can create a new food outlet to lower the queue in Bailey, remodel the outside space around Milton with more seating, rehouse the closed weights room," he said.