STAFF at an arson-hit school have been forced to stagger the return of pupils following the festive break.

Yobs broke into Kearsley Academy on Tuesday, December 28, and started a blaze, which gutted a classroom and left the newly-refurbished school building smoke-logged.

Repair and clean-up work has been underway following the fire but electrical problems mean the school is not fully open and the return of pupils is being staggered.

The arson has put a teaching classroom out of action and cut off electricity to two-thirds of the school.

It is in the process of being reconnected.

The school opened to Year 11 pupils only on the first day of term yesterday and Year Seven youngsters will start back today while work to restore electricity to the whole school continues.

All pupils are expected to be back by tomorrow.

Dr Nigel Jepson, academy principal, said: “Pupils will not fall behind with their work while they are off school. They will be given work to do.” Children who thought they would have an extended Christmas break were disappointed when teachers posted work on the school’s virtual learning environment for pupils to complete.

Dr Jepson said teaching and learning at the school would not be adversely affected because only one teaching classroom was out of bounds.

Kearsley Academy opened last September on the site of the former George Tomlinson School.

Police are investigating the blaze.