All involved with Fulford School will have experienced a mixture of emotions when they learned about the terrible blaze there. Pupils, parents and staff are bound to be shocked and saddened by the destruction of a large part of the craft, design and technology block.

There will be relief that no one was hurt, anxiety that crucial examination coursework could have been lost and anger that the fire may be the work of arsonists.

Head teacher Keith Hayton faces the difficult task of putting his own feelings aside to concentrate on working with City of York Council to minimise disruption to pupils. The education authority is faced with this fresh headache only two years after fire gutted Park Grove School. Paradoxically, that fire does give hope to the Fulford School family today. Park Grove proves that the council's disaster plan is effective. And the new school, rising from the ashes, is symbolic of triumph over adversity.

No doubt Park Grove staff and pupils will be able to offer advice and support to their counterparts at Fulford.

And all help will be gratefully received at this most difficult time for the school.

see NEWS 'Up in flames'

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