PUPILS at the fire-ravaged York High School were back in class today.

The Acomb secondary school’s 896 students have been off school after a fire devastated a third of the building, in Dijon Avenue, on October 3.

Six temporary portable buildings have been moved into place at nearby Westfield Primary School. They will house 183 Year 7 pupils as they started back today. Some 560 pupils from Years 9 to 11 started back at Manor CE School with 158 at Burnholme Community College.

Pupils at Manor CE School will have lessons from 9am until 1pm daily to allow York High School pupils in Years 9 to 11 to use the school site in the afternoon from 2pm to 6pm.

On Friday, 14 temporary classrooms were moved in at the rear of the York High site ahead of pupils returning to school there after the half-term break.

Last week, more than 100 pupils took part in a programme of voluntary out-of-school activities provided by City of York Council.

Activities at Oaklands Sports Centre, Moor Lane Youth Centre, Acomb Green and other venues were all well attended, with Oaklands alone playing host to more than 100 young people who took part in football, climbing, dance and other activities.

The programme of voluntary activities at Oaklands and Moor Lane is being extended for a further two weeks for York High students in Years 9, 10 and 11 who want something to do in the mornings before they attend Manor CE School.

Meanwhile, Manor CE School has arranged for voluntary activities in the afternoon for those students who need something to do after finishing school at 1pm.

Paul Murphy, City of York Council’s assistant director of learning, culture and children’s services, said: “We’ve been delighted by the take-up of the voluntary activities that we have organised for the students of York High this week.

“Over 100 students have used the facilities at Oaklands Sports Centre, with activities such as the climbing wall being fully used in every single session. “Several dozen have been attending the Moor Lane Youth Centre, and a similar number have been taking part in organised football competitions and other activities on Acomb Green. Smaller numbers have attended other venues, such as Acomb Library.

“The behaviour of the students, throughout the week has been exemplary.”

Full details of activities, venues and times and a downloadable version of the consent form are available on the Yor-ok website at www.yor-ok.org.uk/yorkhigh.

This can also be reached via the “What’s On” section of the Council’s website at www.york.gov.uk