A WEST Somerset school has been forced to close this week because of damage to its heating system caused by Storm Chandra.

Danesfield Middle School, in Williton, which has 360 pupils aged between nine and 13 years, suffered a boiler system failure which left it without heat last Thursday (January 29).

The boiler was repaired the same day, but later failed again, leaving the school to keep classrooms warm with portable oil heaters.

Now, its maintenance team has advised there is no hot water and the damage cannot be repaired in the short-term, meaning the school has had to close from Wednesday (February 4) for the rest of the week.

Headteacher Jo Smith said: “Without hot water, we are unable to meet essential hygiene and safety requirements.

“With the wellbeing of pupils and staff as our highest priority, we have had to make the difficult decision to close.

“Our maintenance team are expecting the necessary parts will arrive by Friday, enabling full repairs to be completed.

“We plan to reopen on Monday, February 9.”

Ms Smith said in the meantime learning would move online through Google Classroom.

Access details and instructions had been sent to all parents, and staff would be available throughout the closure to support pupils with their work.

Ms Smith said: “Children should be present for live lessons which will be scheduled for the mornings with registration in their online classroom at 9 am.

“Details of the live learning sessions will be explained at the 9 am registration.”

Ms Smith said a packed lunch would be available for collection each day during the closure from the school office between 11 am and 1 pm for families entitled to free school meals.

For key worker families with KS2 pupils facing unavoidable childcare challenges, limited support might be available via a small, off site facility in Minehead.