A series of torrential downpours was too much for the flat roof of Woodkirk High and water poured into the school.

The headteacher of the Leeds comprehensive, Bill Bailey, arrived to find flooding in the technology block, the school secretary's room, and his own study.

Fresh problems have occurred since then. The ancient boiler which heats the 1,650-pupil school has stopped working and is unlikely ever to function again.

"As a headteacher, you don't want to be faced with these kind of problems," said Mr Bailey.

Will the new money provide a better working environment for teachers and pupils?

"It's a major distraction when you're trying to run a school, and the state of the environment has a major impact on the children's attitude to school.

"You get the best out of children if they are taught in a warm, dry and safe environment."

His story is not uncommon. School buildings across the UK are widely acknowledged to be in a state of serious disrepair.

So, is David Blunkett's promise of an additional £5.4bn for the repair and refurbishment of schools over the next three years the answer to such problems?

Mr Bailey has yet to be convinced.

"Don't get me wrong, it's most welcome, but the bidding process by which schools get this kind of money is a long and complicated process.

"It's quite dispiriting to put in a bid and have it rejected. You feel you have wasted your time."

A spokeswoman for the National Union of Teachers is more upbeat.

"Before the last general election, the Local Government Association estimated that the backlog of school repairs would cost around £2.5bn to clear," she said. "This announcement goes a long way towards that.

"While we do have some concerns about the private finance element of the money, we generally welcome it."