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Fire-damaged school resumes classes in historic house

Debbie Tubby,in Shipdhamand
Neve Gordon-Farleigh
News imageShaun Whitmore/BBC An aerial shot of Thomas Bullock Primary Academy in Shipdham near Dereham in Norfolk. The picture has been taken from above and there is damage to the roof of the building which has partly caved in and the inside of the classrooms are exposed due to the damage of the roof.Shaun Whitmore/BBC
Pupils have temporarily moved into 18th-century Letton Hall in Shipdham

A primary school that suffered a catastrophic blaze during the summer holidays has temporarily resumed classes in an 18th-century country house.

A fire caused by light refracted off a Perspex canopy damaged Thomas Bullock Primary Academy in Shipdham, near Dereham, Norfolk, on 13 August.

Pupils spent seven days learning from home before moving into Letton Hall, where all 240 pupils are being taught in rooms, including the library, dining and drawing rooms, while temporary classrooms are built.

Shannon O'Sullivan, executive headteacher, said: "No child should have an inequitable experience due to a catastrophic event that is so far out of our control."

She added: "Our children deserve the very best and our teachers are the very best."

News imageJamie Niblock/BBC Nick Wade has short wavy brown hair and a beard and is smiling at the camera. He is wearing a blue shirt and a purple lanyard and is standing in front of a red brick wall with small white-framed windows with blurred multi-coloured boxes on a far wall in the background.Jamie Niblock/BBC
Nick Wade says it was important to find a venue that could accommodate all 240 pupils

Nick Wade, executive deputy head of the Nightingale Federation, said the search for another provision started immediately, with the school wanting to house all pupils under the same roof.

He said: "Letton Hall could house our whole school and we wanted that community. We wanted our school all together.

"It hasn't come without its challenges, but we are really excited to be here and amazed at what we have managed to achieve."

The hall, which was built in the 1780s and designed by architect Sir John Soane, is used as a Christian conference centre and offers residential activities for schools and church groups.

Centre manager Helen Neale said: "We just thought we needed to reach out just in case we could be of any help in a time of need.

"We were a little anxious and a little concerned if we would be up for having 240 children and staff on site, but it's brilliant. It's been so nice, and we all feel like we are part of the school already."

News imageJamie Niblock/BBC A close-up image of Shannon O'Sullivan, who has shoulder-length blonde hair. She is looking directly at the camera and smiling. She is wearing a white jacket with black piping round the edges. There is a cream wall, large mantlepiece and tables and chairs in the background.Jamie Niblock/BBC
Shannon O'Sullivan says Letton Hall has welcomed the school with care and compassion

O'Sullivan said the children have been excited to see diggers on the school site, where some areas will be demolished.

She said: "We have a phenomenal community and a phenomenal parent body.

"We have also been so lucky to have Letton Hall, this gorgeous country estate right on our doorstep that has so kindly welcomed us in with care and compassion."

The school expects to return to Thomas Bullock Primary Academy's site in temporary classrooms on 2 November.

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