AS CONTRACTORS move in to repair waterlogged Prudhoe West First School, fund-raisers are also hard at work to get the school back to normal.

Heavy rainfall in December caused serious damage to the building’s roof and ceilings, prompting safety concerns.

Because of this, a number of classrooms remain out of bounds and since January a group of year three students have taken lessons in the Fuse Media Centre at Prudhoe Community High School.

Work to make the internal plaster ceilings safe has already begun and is expected to be complete, with all children returned to their classrooms, by the end of April.

Internal repair work is anticipated to cost around £30,000 with Northumberland County Council’s emergency repair insurance scheme footing the majority of the bill.

However, the school is now working to raise the funds to replace lighting, furniture and pay for re-decoration.

Headteacher Carrie Davison explained: “We need to raise around £25,000 but at the end of this we will have a building that’s far more fit for purpose.

“Parents have been so supportive. We’ve already had offers from those whose companies are offering support in terms of labour and community funds.”

A roof survey has found that some areas require full replacement with others in need of extensive repair.

The nursery conservatory has to be removed and rebuilt.

A plan for work to the building’s exterior is currently being put together but work is not expected to start until April.

Work to repair the roof and make it watertight will be funded through Northumberland County Council’s schools capital investment programme.

Mrs Davison said: “Things are going as well as we had hoped really.

“Another five children have moved here from different schools so we’re still doing something right.

“The building is 107 years old; repairs need to be made but we have adapted to stay open to the community.

“We’re doing what we do best – teaching and learning despite everything that’s going on.”