Fire at high school 'suspicious'

Police at Cantonian High School behind its closed gates

A fire which closed a Cardiff comprehensive school for pupils on Friday is being treated as suspicious.

Fire crews spent two hours controlling the blaze at Cantonian High School in Fairwater, from 0150 BST.

The school was closed to 1,200 pupils but will partially reopen on Monday for years 10 to 13, while temporary classrooms are being organised.

Cardiff Council said "considerable damage" was caused to the first floor. The school has appealed for witnesses.

This has caused much upset to everyone connected with the school Lois Spargo, head teacher

Students in years seven, eight and nine have been asked to remain at home on Monday while arrangements are put in place for temporary classrooms to be delivered to the school.

Head teacher Lois Spargo said: "This has been incredibly distressing for everyone concerned but we are pleased that no-one has been hurt as a result of this incident.

"We would appeal for anyone who has any information about the fire to contact the police as a matter of urgency as this has caused much upset to everyone connected with the school."

She asked pupils staying at home to keep up to date with lesssons by either logging on to Sam Learning or BBC Bitesize.

"Parents of children in those years can also call into school during opening hours to pick up work." she said.

The classrooms which have suffered most damage have been cordoned off to be made safe while other parts of the building are being cleaned.

Earlier, school workload manager Dai Roberts said staff were "very upset" and some had been crying.

He said there had been damage to some teaching and visual aids which had been collected "over a lifetime's teaching".

The school has two main buildings on its site, with more than 180 students in the sixth form.