A SCHOOL at the centre of a row about pupils being "stranded" in freezing conditions has defended its actions following an investigation.

Boroughbridge High School's deputy head teacher, Ivan Nicholson, pledged to find out why pupils were left out in the cold with no means of getting home after a gas leak forced the school to close.

Kimberley, 12, and Rebecca Allinson, 14, and their friend, Olivia Driffield, 13, caught the school bus to Helperby following Monday's closure. But they then had to wait three-and-a-half hours until they were collected at the usual time at about 4pm - the bus does not go to their village of Raskelf.

Rebecca and Kimberley's father, Graham Allinson, said he was furious staff did not contact him to explain the situation, saying he would have easily been able to pick up the girls had he known.

None of the girls had a mobile phone and so were unable to let their parents know what had happened.

The school was closed when The Press tried to get a response. But it reopened on Thursday, and a statement has been released.

A school spokesman said: "Boroughbridge High School was forced to close on Monday after a gas leak and the decision was taken to send pupils home because the school lacked heating.

"The school rang North Yorkshire County Council's director of children and young people's service to confirm it was meeting emergency planning procedures and has ensured those procedures were correctly followed.

"A letter was sent to all parents and all pupils were given the opportunity to phone home using the school's phones to inform parents or carers that the school was closing.

"Those who could not make arrangements to go home were advised they should stay in school and some were transported later by taxi.

"Staff remained on the premises until 3.30pm. The school's first priority is to ensure the safety of its students."

Mr Allinson said he was very disappointed the school had not responded directly to him about the incident, saying he had made several attempts to contact the school this week.

He also said the girls denied being told they could use the school phone, and had no knowledge of any taxi provision.

He said: "If taxis were available to transport the children home, why weren't they put in one? Surely it is the school's duty of care to make sure the children are going to be safe when they leave school."

The girls' mother, Wendy, said: "I am infuriated they are putting responsibility on to the children. They should have made the arrangements."

The school spokesman said: "We will be contacting Mr Allinson to discuss the issue."