A NEW building to replace the classrooms destroyed by the devastating arson attack at Copleston High School could cost anything up to £1 million, The Evening Star can reveal.

A NEW building to replace the classrooms destroyed by the devastating arson attack at Copleston High School could cost anything up to £1 million, The Evening Star can reveal.

Laurie Robinson, headteacher at the school, said a planning application will be submitted this week as the school seeks to construct a new state-of-the-art building on the site of last August's fire.

Mr Robinson said the school has been in talks with architects, the county council, staff and students about the plans and is ready to apply for building consent.

He said: “It is designed to improve the learning environment and improve facilities for staff and students as well.

“What's clever about the plans is the block that burned down was previously three storeys high but had two floors as one of the rooms was the old hall with a high ceiling.

“We are going to rebuild the block very much as before but with three floors.

“The whole project will cost around £1 million although the figure agreed with the insurance company hasn't been settled yet.”

Mr Robinson said the school's students have adapted to using five temporary classrooms for the meantime and everything is business as usual.

He said: “We have all got used to working in this new way although obviously we look forward to having enhanced facilities in place and getting back to normal.”