ACTIVITIES, including rugby training with York City Knights and free swimming sessions, have been arranged for students affected by a devastating fire.

York High School was severely damaged on Friday after a fire swept through the school.

With pupils unable to attend classes, City of York Council and other voluntary bodies have set up alternative activities to keep the children busy and help parents with childcare arrangements.

The school has nearly 900 students who are not expected to be able to return until next Monday at the earliest.

York City Knights have got involved with the activities with rugby sessions being held today, tomorrow and Thursday at Huntington Community Sports centre at Huntington Secondary School.

Sessions are open to a maximum of 25 students and places must be booked by telephoning 01904 758234 or 07739320592 or by emailing ian@ycknights.co.uk.

Moor Lane Youth Centre will be offering a range of activities for York High students between 9am and 3.30pm and can accommodate up to 80 young people. Youth leaders can be contacted there on 01904 707072.

Street Sport York will be offering games including football, volleyball, hockey and cricket on Chesney Fields and can be contacted on 07799 347987.

Likewise Space 109 in Walmgate will be offering craft sessions along with painting, drawing, music and textiles while The ArtSpace opposite Clifford’s Tower, will be offering sessions with qualified teachers for 15 students each day.

To book phone 01904 671709, 07973 653702 or email theartspace@googlemail.com.

There are also creative writing sessions at Acomb Library, a free swimming session at Yearsley Grove pool and sports organised by Global Youth.

For a full list of the activities on offer and how to book them visit yor-ok.org.uk/yorkhigh/ * The Press revealed on Saturday how demolition crews were spending the weekend on site trying to make the school safe for fire investigators to begin their work determining how the blaze started.

It was hoped the task of sifting through the gutted building could begin today.