Monmouth Comprehensive School was closed to pupils yesterday after burst pipes left classrooms severely water damaged.

The flood took place overnight on 28th and 29th December and staff have been working round the clock alongside Monmouthshire Property Services ever since to ensure the school can open today (Wednesday 5th January) – just one day late.

The school said that although it was too early to make an accurate assessment of the cause, it is thought that frozen mains water affected the school's boilers and prevented the thermostatic control from functioning properly.

Carpets and flooring, ceiling tiles, furniture, computers, books and resources have been ruined by the flood water.

The school is making arrangements to ensure that lessons will continue as normal.

As a further blow to the school's misfortunes over the festive period, it was also discovered that thieves had removed quantities of lead from the roof of the oldest building in the school, making that area vulnerable to water penetration.

"The damage is considerable," said headteacher Carole Herman, "but I am blessed with a fantastic team of colleagues who have acted very swiftly to minimise the damage and inconvenience.

"My head of services, Jane Baker, site manager Louise Vitale, colleagues from Property Services Monmouthshire and Harris Brothers Contractors have been extraordinary in their commitment and resourcefulness in getting the school up and running again.

"As far as we are concerned it is business as usual."