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St Katherine's School, Snodland, celebrates after conquering flood damage in June

By: Luke May

Published: 11:14, 22 October 2019

Updated: 11:15, 22 October 2019

Pupils, parents and teachers came together to celebrate overcoming serious flood damage.

St Katherine's School in Snodland was shut for the final weeks of the last school year, with pupils heading to The Holmesdale School nearby.

Almond Classroom newly refurbished look after St Katherine's School in Snodland was flooded in June. Picture: Andy Jones (19611887)

Teachers spent the summer holiday getting classrooms back in order by September.

With half term now upon us, headteacher Ruth Powell took the chance to celebrate.

Mrs Powell said: "It was wonderful to reopen, it all goes down to the hard work of the community, that's the staff, parents and The Holmesdale School for taking us in.

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"The final few hours of the summer holidays were really tough, we were due to open on a Tuesday and we were still pulling furniture in and decorating on the Monday.

"But all of the hard work really paid off and it was like the children were walking into a new school."

Lacey, Kara, Rebecca, Emily & Callum with Headteacher Mrs Powell inside St Katherine's School's refurbished library. Picture: Andy Jones. (19611882)

Downpours flooded Snodland properties, including the school and homes on St Katherine's Lane in June.

But when the school had to close for repairs, The Holmesdale School opened its doors, making use of the extra space from Year 11 and 13 students out on study leave.

Headteacher at the Malling Road secondary Nicki Hodges said: "We quickly realised the children were absolutely fine together. Our students set a really good example and were really calm."

On Thursday parents, staff and pupils celebrated St Katherine's return. Year six pupils were dressed as superheroes as part of their curriculum and led parents around the newly refurbished grounds.

After surviving some of the worst flooding in decades, the school is now preparing for the future.

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Mrs Powell said: "We're working a firm called Sustainable Urban Drainage and looking at improving the school's flood defence.

"The best part is our school's global curriculum is all about environmental enhancement, so even our children can get involved.

"We've managed to find a lot of positives out of this and that's down to the community.

"The summer holidays were quite stressful we're hoping the half term break will be a bit easier, but we hope everyone enjoyed celebrating on Thursday."

Read more: All the latest news from Malling.

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