The headteacher of a Norwich school which flooded after thieves ripped lead from its roof has thanked the community for its 'overwhelming support' as the clean-up continues.
Carpets were flooded, ceiling tiles destroyed and children's work ruined after lead was stolen from Wensum Junior School's roof, leaving holes which meant the school quickly flooded when heavy rain started on Tuesday.
The school closed on Wednesday, with electricians and builders called in and a risk assessor due to examine how much will be covered by insurance.
Victoria McConnell, headteacher of the school, which is part of the Evolution Academy Trust, said: 'The first we knew of it was when it rained and it just poured into classrooms. Having cleared the guttering out over the recent holiday we knew it wasn't a blockage so we got up on the roof, and saw these holes.
'It has been quite savagely ripped off - it looks like it's been cut with a knife in four different places.'
With water reaching electrical sockets, she said the decision was made to close the Turner Road school for a day until it had been looked over by an electrician. It will now reopen on Thursday.
But she said it was a frustrating blow for a school which tries to impress values of respect on its pupils.
MORE: Wensum Junior School in Norwich to be closed for day after thieves steal lead'Over the last two years we have worked so hard to build a school we are proud and this has put us three steps back,' she said.
'We teach our children to be honest, kind and respectful and to respect people and their belongings and it is difficult to teach them that when they can clearly see that others, people who have destroyed part of our school, do not have those values.'
She said the school had been a target for lead thieves, and thanked the community for their support.
'We have had an overwhelming amount of support. We have had parents knocking on the door with mops and buckets wanting to help out.
'I've been quite overwhelmed - out of anything bad you always see the best and worst of human kind and the Wensum community has been wonderfully supportive.
'They love this school dearly.'
Police believe the theft occurred sometime between 9am on Tuesday, May 16 and 5pm on Tuesday, June 27. Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to call the police on 101.
• Have you been affected? Email lauren.cope@archant.co.uk
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