AN arson attack on two classrooms at The Avenue Primary School has caused more than £200,000 of damage, destroyed pupils’ hard work and forced them to miss three days of lessons.

Police and firefighters were called to the academy school in Warminster just after 3.20am on Wednesday after a portable building had been set alight and spent an hour getting the blaze under control.

The whole school was shut on Wednesday as debris was cleared away and makeshift classrooms are now being set up, but pupils in Year 5 and 6 will not be able to return until Monday, meaning they miss three days of crucial teaching in the build-up to SATs exams.

Two crews from Warminster, one from Westbury and one from Frome were first on the scene, and were later replaced by two relief crews from Mere and Trowbridge, who stayed at the school until just after 9am, although the main firefighting operation was over just before 6am.

Chairman of governors Roger Walton said: “I heard the news at 6am but it wasn’t until I saw the shell of the building that the devastation really hit home. It’s absolutely shocking.

“All of the pupils’ hard work has gone up in flames and the fact they will have to miss three days of education concerning, especially as SATs are approaching.

“The Year 6 teacher was in tears when she heard but everyone is rallying around and there is a plan in place to get things back to normal as soon as possible.

“However, there is no denying that there’s a massive job ahead.”

Most of the damages will be covered by insurance but just hours after the fire a JustGiving page was set up to help pay for repairs and has so far raised over £600.

Parent Kathryn Moffat, 34, of Warminster, whose daughter attends the school’s childrens’ centre, started the fundraising page.

She said: “When I first saw the news my heart sank for the children. I felt like I wanted to help but didn’t know how, but then I thought about trying to bring the community together to support the school and a Crowdfunding page sprung to mind.

“I appreciate that schools work hard to raise funds and equipment is very expensive.

“Knowing that so much had been lost I hoped it would be a way of offering support in some way.

“I didn’t know if it would take off as well as it has but it’s so lovely to see the community coming together.”

Headteacher Stuart Porter said: “The community has shown fantastic support and we are very appreciative of it.

“I’ve been inundated with calls from people offering support and financial donations on top of the Crowdfunding page which has already raised over £600.

“A pupil from Kingdown School has also been in touch and said she wants to donate money as she came here when she was younger which was amazing.

“Staff have also been fantastic in pulling together. I have been quite blown away by the response, to be honest.”

Pupils were expecting to return to school on Wednesday for the first day back after the Christmas break but were instead turned away at the gate.

Sophie-Louise, 10, a Year 6 pupil, said: “It was shocking to arrive at school and see the damage.

“All of the hard work we put in last term is now a waste.

“We had lots of books in there full of work and they’re all completely wrecked now.

“Some people had really important things in their drawers and they’re all gone, it’s really sad.”

There are 60 pupils combined in Year 5 and 6, many of whom were devastated that they were not able to return to school.

Caoimhe, 10, also of Year 6, said: “I was really looking forward to seeing my teacher and talking to my friends about what they did over Christmas.

“I was amazed looking at how it was all completely burnt to the ground. All of our stuff is gone.

“I had lots of my books in there and a diary. One of my books was one from the library which I had been reading before Christmas.

“I also had my pencil case in there which had pens in and some other valuable things I really liked.”

Edward Beavis, 34, of no fixed abode, admitted starting the blaze when he appeared before Salisbury Magistrates today.

​The court heard police found him in Warminster, covered in paint and smelling of smoke, shortly after the blaze.

As the charges against him were read, Beavis shouted from the dock: "And I set fire to a bin and smashed the windows and all.

"I am and will be forever guilty, and proud to say so, thank you."

To donate to the appeal, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/avenueschoolwarminster