AN EAST Yorkshire school reopened today following a suspected arson attack.

Woldgate School, in Pocklington, was forced to close for Easter a week early after a fire wrecked the school's art and technology building on April 5.

Today the school's 1,300 pupils were returning to their lessons despite continuing problems including the discovery of asbestos in the damaged block.

The burned-out building is expected to be closed until at least September. Art and technology lessons will have to take place in other parts of the school.

Head teacher Jeff Bower said: "There were 11 teaching spaces in that block and we are having to find space for those classes in the rest of the school."

He said that pupils would have to do without technology equipment for the rest of the school year and have theoretical lessons rather than practical ones.

It is thought that the fire was started when a plastic waste bin was pushed against the building and deliberately set alight. The blaze caused a window to explode, allowing the flames into the roof of the building.

The fire severely damaged the school's electricity control unit, which controls the power for five out of the six teaching blocks. The five undamaged school blocks are now being powered by emergency electricity generators.

Mr Bower said that he thought the school would have to rely on the generators until the end of May.

The school has experienced a second blow as asbestos has been found in the damaged block's ceilings.

He said that the block had been cordoned off so no pupils could enter it and the poisonous substance would be removed before rebuilding could begin.

Mr Bower said: "It will put the whole thing back six weeks. It is a most frustrating business.

"The disruption is just incredible. People are so annoyed and fed up with it. The students are just horrified that this has been done to them."

Updated: 10:48 Tuesday, April 29, 2003