Fire-hit school ready to reopen

Investigations show the fire started in a room with a high-temperature kiln

A North Yorkshire school will welcome back most of its pupils after the half-term break, four weeks after it was severely damaged by fire.

Almost a third of York High School, in Dijon Avenue, was destroyed in the blaze earlier this month.

Its 900 pupils have been given lessons in temporary classrooms at other schools for the past two weeks.

Year groups eight to 11 will be taught in 14 portable classrooms on the site from 3 November.

Year seven pupils will remain in temporary classrooms at Westfield Primary School until the end of term.

'Remarkable response'

Head teacher Dave Ellis said he was "delighted" the majority of year groups would be able to return to the site so soon after the fire.

He thanked pupils, parents and staff for their "support and patience" over the past few weeks.

Pete Dwyer, director of Learning Culture and Children's Services at City of York Council, said: "Events of this nature are thankfully very rare but as a result even more challenging.

"We have seen a most remarkable response from across the school, business and local community, which as a result has minimised the impact of the fire on the ongoing education of York High pupils."

Early investigations revealed the fire started in a room which contained a high-temperature pottery kiln.