Weston under Penyard may be a small village but it is a community with a big heart and it swung into action when the news that burst pipes had caused devastating flooding at the primary school.

Cleaner Isobel Clinton was the first to discover the damage when she arrived at the school at about 1pm on Bank Holiday Monday, January 3rd. Headteacher Brian Bird said:?"She walked into the school and literally walked into at least two inches of water."

She immediately called Mr Bird but he was on holiday so she called deputy head Christine Round who took charge of the situation. Local builders and plumbers dropped what they were doing to help but it quickly became apparent that the school would not be able to re-open for the spring term on January 5th.

The damage is expected to take about two weeks to restore and cost about £20,000.

Mr Bird said:?"It is our duty to keep the school open so I set about looking for alternative accommodation."

John Kyrle High School offered a classroom and the local playgroup offered facilities for the reception class but Mr Bird was anxious that the school, and all its 86 pupils, should be kept together, if possible.

He contacted the Leadership Trust to see if they could accommodate the school, not really expecting them to say yes, but they did. So on Monday, January 10th the children and staff arrived for their first day in new surroundings. Parent Governor Greg Brina told the Ross Gazette:?"What started out as a very negative situation has become a very positive one and, thanks to the help of a lot of people, the children have been able to start school. Our school building is also well on the way to being repaired."