MP Sir Oliver Heald visited King James Academy to see the damage caused to the main classroom block by Storm Henk.

The Royston school was closed on Monday, January 8 after last week's storm caused flooding to the main senior site teaching block.

Year 11 students were welcomed back to the site today, but Years 7 to 10 will continue to work remotely for the remainder of the week. 

Headteacher Lisa Plowman showed Sir Oliver around the damaged areas, where the storm ripped off the roof and cladding, leading to flooding in the classrooms and offices and leaving the rooms unusable.

County Cllr Fiona Hill also visited the school, and has been liaising with council officers about what alternative classroom accommodation may be available.

Sir Oliver said: "I would like to pay tribute to headteacher Lisa Plowman and the dedicated staff trying to keep things going after this terrible storm damage.

"The Diamond Learning Partnership Trust is providing positive support as are insurers and the county council.

"It is urgent to find alternative accommodation, as renovation will clearly take some time."

Sir Oliver has approached Jonathan Duff, regional director of the Department for Education, what help can be made available to help the school tackle the disaster.

In addition, he has asked researchers to look into what Government help is available for serious storm damage.

He said: "I have immediately contacted Jonathan Duff, regional director of the Department for Education.

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"I am asking researchers to look into any Government support available for severe storm damage.

"I know county Cllr Fiona Hill has had a full briefing from county council officers about what support they may be able to offer.

"There is a 'moth-balled' school site in the town not used for some years – formerly Roysia School – and work is under way to see if it could be brought back into use, but this would need to be approved by experts.

"I will continue to support the school during this difficult period."