Back to school for older children at Chorley New Road Primary

Key stage two children — aged from seven to 11-years-old — were allowed back to the school in Horwich this morning while the younger key stage one children, whose block was badly damaged in the floods, will be back on Tuesday — a week later than they should have been back in class.

Nursery and reception will also return on Tuesday.

All parents have been told about the staggered approach about getting children back to school.

The key stage two block was not too badly affected by the floods but without kitchen and dinning facilities, the children were unable to return to school.

But arrangements have been put in place where school meals are delivered to Chorley New Road Primary while the clean-up operation continues.

New carpets are currently being being fitted in the key stage one block and the kitchen and dining hall is is being cleaned up.

Flood waters seeped into school after drains, it is believed, not able to cope with the volume of water that was coming in.

Play equipment has had to be thrown away and the clean-up operation since December 27.

The community has rallied round to start a fundraising driving to help replace the play equipment and items which have been thrown away after being damaged by the water.

The target was to raise £500 but the said Charlene Hoofe, who has four children at the school, was smashed within hours of a justgiving page being set up.

The total now stands at £710, with messages posted stating: "All my three children attended Chorley New Road nursery, so it's very upsetting to see what has happened."

Another added: "My daughter is in Year 1 and is so upset that she can't go back to school tomorrow. Let's raise as much as we can to help reopen in as best condition as possible."

The fundraising page can be accessed at crowdfunding.justgiving.com/charlene-hoofe

For the latest school closures visit bolton.gov.uk/website/pages/Schoolclosures.aspx