Field work for pupils

The children will be taught next to the donkeys for a month

Children across the country are returning to school this week but one group of Devon pupils will be having their lessons in a rather unusual location.

Building work on the Victorian buildings of Branscombe Primary School is slightly behind schedule.

So temporary classrooms have been put up in a field next to The Donkey Sanctuary.

But headteacher Pat Britton said it was not the first place which came to mind when they found out they would have to move.

We've arranged for the donkeys and the children to be formally introduced Pat Britton, headteacher

The school was initially offered the village hall car park as a site for the temporary buildings.

But it was decided it would not be possible to bring the classrooms through Branscombe's narrow lanes.

"We'd been in a situation where it wasn't safe to take any children back to the school," she said.

"So the Donkey Sanctuary said we would be welcome to come here.

"We are taking every opportunity to maximise where we are and we've arranged for the donkeys and the children to be formally introduced."

The inside of Branscombe primary has been re-modelled and when it re-opens in one month the pupils will be able to enjoy more up-to-date facilities.

And the teachers will have a staff room for the first time.

A spokesperson for Devon County Council apologised for the inconvenience but said there are currently 70 projects ongoing in Devon schools and it is almost inevitable there would be some delays.