CRESSEX Community School will remain closed tomorrow following a fire at the weekend that destroyed and damaged classrooms.

Pupils at the school in Holmers Lane have not been able to return to lessons after their half term break this morning after their English department was burnt down and a classroom in their Modern Languages block was damaged in a suspected arson attack.

Staff at the school confirmed this lunchtime that the school will remain closed tomorrow, but they hope to reopen by the end of the week.

Fiona Carter, personal assistant to acting head teacher Phil Mitchell, said: "We don't know which areas we will be allowed into tomorrow with the fire and police investigation still going on. We can hope to get back to normal by the end of the week, as long as it's safe for pupils, because that's the main thing."

Dr Katy Simmons, chair of the governors of the school, said: "Cressex pupils are very committed to their work and we want to see them back in school as soon as possible."

Staff will meet with governors and officer from the Local Education Authority at 2pm this afternoon to discuss plans to reopen the school.