PUPILS at Fiveways School in Yeovil are happy to return to school just four weeks after the devastating fire that destroyed most of the school and caused over half a million pounds worth of damage.

Working to very tight deadlines Somerset County Council's property services installed temporary classrooms to allow the school's 67 pupils to return to study, last week. A temporary roof has also been created over the fire damaged building to allow repair work to take place. This has seen miles of cables and pipe work laid for services to enable the school to function properly again.

The school's five classrooms were completely destroyed in the fire. While pupils settle into the temporary units over the spring and summer the county council's consultants will be working behind the scenes with the rebuilding contractor. It is hoped that the new building will be ready for pupils to move into in September.

Head teacher Mark Collis said: "Everyone has worked tremendously hard to enable our school to return to normality and It is so nice to hear the sound of children's voices once again filling the corridors.

"I would like to add my thanks to all of those contractors who have worked so hard, and often at short notice. Our staff have worked magnificently after the disaster to enable our classrooms to be ready for the children. The whole community has been tremendously supportive.

"The Phoenix Appeal was launched directly after the fire and the first event, held last Saturday, raised a staggering £1,850. Our thanks to all who attended and helped. Everyone has pulled together to enable us to get on with the business of providing the highest quality education for our 67 youngsters with special needs."

The council's portfolio holder for lifelong learning, Cllr Pauline Clarke, said: "Somerset County Council property services would like to say a huge thank you to the many local and national companies who have been helping in this construction task.

"Also the police for keeping St Michaels Road clear when the temporary building units were delivered and the residents for putting up with these deliveries.

"I would also like to pass on my thanks to all the staff at the school and within the county council team for their commitment to the pupils of Fiveways School. The fact that the school is re-opening so quickly is a tribute to their efforts."

County Cllr David Gladding said: "It's great to have Fiveways operating again so soon after the fire and we must now lend our support to the efforts being made to raise funds to replace the many items lost."