£2,600 raised for school left 'in pieces' after fire

Parents and teachers have raised more than £2,600 after a fire left parts of a primary school "literally in pieces".

Around 40 firefighters tackled the blaze at St Michael's Primary School in South Gloucestershire on 9 December which damaged an outbuilding and classrooms.

The school reopens to pupils on Tuesday, and headteacher Peter Bernard said staff had "moved mountains to make sure classes can take place elsewhere" on site.

Chair of the school's parent teacher and friends association Gillian Coleman, said it had been "quite an emotional" and "difficult" time for the children.

"It's not just the classrooms, one of the areas - the conservatory - is literally in pieces," Ms Coleman said.

"It has been quite an emotional time for our community. It's been really hard on some of the children who have found it difficult moving classrooms.

"There aren't just spare classrooms for the children to move into, it's been logistically quite difficult.

"One of the classes has had to move into the art room, so the school community has lost that dedicated space, and the same has happened with the room they use for children with special educational needs. "

Ms Coleman said one teacher lost nine years worth of supplies and displays.

Mr Bernard said the staff had been "overwhelmed" by "so many offers of help from everyone".

"Staff have been incredible" - only closed for two days. By the Wednesday they had a nativity going on," he said.

"[They] moved mountains to make sure classes can take place elsewhere".

"We have had some many donations come in to us... very special, people have been so kind," Mr Bernard said.

The fire service had also been along to make the children feel safe again in the school.

"It's something that could have been incredibly traumatic for our children and our community but we have had so much support," he added.

The school is now waiting for an insurance report and teachers said the issue was "likely to have started in a plug that may have been exposed to damage from Storm Darragh".

All funds raised would go towards buying equipment requested by the teachers, staff have said.

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