Arson-hit Wednesfield primary school unlikely to reopen before half-term

As a result, nursery pupils will be accommodated at nearby The Hub at Ashmore Park next week. Reception, Year 1-4 children will be at Berrybrook Primary School while Year 5 and Year 6 children will study at Coppice High School.

The fire was lit on Thursday night. It tore through the roof of the school and is believed to have started after vandals accessed the flat roof and set fire to a disused water tank.

Headteacher Helen Morris said: "Everyone at St Alban's would like to thank the whole of the Ashmore Park community for their support.

"Unfortunately it is too early for help to come into the school at the moment but we know that you are thinking of us and thinking of the children."

Detective Inspector Mark Rushton, from Wolverhampton police station, added: "This crime has struck at the heart of the community, depriving local children of their education.

"The disruption this has caused to parents, pupils and staff is astounding and we are determined to catch the culprits."

Meanwhile, a former pupil of St Albans said seeing it go up in flames was the worst experience of her life.

Jessica Hill, from Coppice Farm, stood in horror on Thursday night as she saw the flames rise up.

Miss Hill, who attended the St Albans Close school between 2004 and 2008, phoned 999 before going outside to see what was happening.

And the 17-year-old told the Express & Star of her horror as she stood watching the dramatic events unfold.

"It was absolutely horrible and the worst thing I have seen in my life," she said. "I was so worried that someone may have still been in there at the time but thankfully there was not.

"I've got great memories of the school so it was so sad to see it up in flames. It was as if parts of my early childhood were going up in flames as well.

"It was so scary because the fire was spreading fast."

The huge blaze has shocked the community as concerned parents also expressed their devastation.

Jenny Phelps, 32, from Griffiths Drive, whose daughter attends the school, said: "It's absolutely heartbreaking.

"My daughter has developed so much at the school and now that maybe all gone. All the parents are sticking together as much as possible.

"I had a feeling it was an arson attack all along. How could anyone do this to such a much-needed service in the community?

"I moved here from Ireland several years ago and incidents like this make me feel like I want to leave."

Tina Gibbons from Ashmore Park whose son attends the school added: "It is very tragic as the school was making such good progress in the last two years. The headteacher was doing a great job.

"We are concerned because we don't know what is going to happen in the coming weeks."