A school has issued a statement after enforcing an emergency closure.

Chantry Community Primary School in Bexhill has been closed to most of its year groups since Tuesday after its heating failed.

The school will be closed for the rest of the week to Years 2 to 6.

The school remains open for its reception class and Year 1 children only.

A spokeswoman for the primary school said repairs to the heating cannot be completed in time for the winter and that “powerful” heaters have been installed in preparation for the school re-opening on Monday, December 12.

She said pupils at home are being supported by teachers and are using the school’s home learning system.

“Repairing this is a complicated job and cannot be undertaken in time for this winter,” said the spokeswoman.

“We have sourced powerful heaters which will be installed and checked on Friday, December 9, in time to re-open to our students on Monday, December 12.

“The decision to close is not taken lightly and is taken in consultation with the local authority and the working temperature guidelines.

“This week the majority of our classrooms have remained six degrees below the minimal comfortable working temperatures.

“We understand that the closure may be very difficult for parents and carers, and we can only apologise. It is really important that we can provide a warm environment for our children to learn in and this is taking several days.

“We have a separate heating system for our two youngest classrooms, so our Reception and Year 1 classes have been undisrupted during this time. Our home learning system is being utilised to set learning for our children at home and teachers are in touch with their students.

“We are also pleased to have been able to warm up another classroom to enable our most vulnerable children to return to school from today, December 7.”