Working to replace the burst PVC water main which shut Taverham high school today. Photo: Bill Smith

A burst water main which forced the last-minute closure of a school in Norfolk today has been repaired.

Taverham High School, which has more than 1,200 pupils aged between 11 and 18, had to close its doors after a burst pipe in Beech Avenue, Taverham, left the school with barely enough water to last an hour.

Anglian Water was alerted to the problem, which left families in the Taverham and Drayton areas without water, at 6.30am today and worked to try to rectify the problem by lunchtime.

Headteacher Ron Munson said he was only informed of the problem by a worker from the water company at 7.45am – just 35 minutes before the school was due to open – and did all he could to let people know.

He said: “It was impossible for anyone to know beforehand. Everyone went to form period at 8.20am, was given a letter and asked to phone home. We had at least six phones for those pupils who didn’t have a mobile.

“Not one student was allowed to leave the school premises until they had got in contact with their parents.”

Mr Munson, who remained at the school until 10.30am after every student had gone, said they did not email parents as only 60pc are subscribed to a group email list.

He said: “We didn’t use email because we couldn’t assume parents were going to look at emails first thing in the morning, so we gave everyone a letter. We couldn’t have done any more. I think we acted pretty quickly.”

Anglian Water issued a statement apologising to customers in Drayton, Taverham and surrounding areas who had no water or low water pressure. The problem was repaired by 1pm.