Demolition starts at arson-hit Wilkinson Primary School, Bilston

Bulldozers today started demolishing the charred remains of a Wolverhampton school destroyed in an arson attack as parents spoke of their relief as they were told of the school's future.

Workers moved on to Bilston's Wilkinson Primary School site to flatten walls and clear away charred debris left behind after the inferno. As bulldozers pulled on to the site, parents packed into nearby St Martins Church for a special meeting about the school's future.

The church is being used as a part-time base for the school's 335 pupils, and bosses today said childcare would run throughout next week from 8am and 5pm.

Pupils will move into the Slater Street church after the half-term holidays on November 1 to resume their lessons for up to four weeks while Wolverhampton City Council looks for an alternative base.

Parents were today told that it was likely mobile classrooms would be set up on the fire-ravaged school site for pupils to study, while the church will be used for assemblies and lunch.

Speaking after the meeting, administrator Marlene Beckett, whose 10-year-old son Akiel is a pupil at the school, said: "It's so important they have somewhere to go, especially the older children who are preparing for their SAT exams."

Disruptive

Suzanne Haynes, aged 52, of Bradley, has been looking after grandson Mason Beasley, four, while his parents Lisa and Brian are at work. "It's so disruptive for the children, especially the young ones, but the community has really pulled together. The head has been wonderful," she said.

Elaine Morgan's 10-year-old grandson Perry Hewson is in Year 6 at Wilkinson Primary. The 68-year-old, of Bank Street, Bradley, said her children Steve, now 40, and Julie, 38, had both attended the blaze-hit school.

"It's so sad, whenever we went back we'd look at photographs but now all of them have gone," she added.

Headteacher Tina Gibbon said: "Our community has been devastated by the fire that has destroyed our school. However, our community spirit is very much alive."

Police today issued a fresh appeal for information on 0345 1135 000.

By Alex Campbell