Powerstock School pupils look like they will have to wait another year before they can return to the Grade II-listed building – a year on from a disastrous fire.

The blaze destroyed the main part of the school on the first day of the October half-term last year.

Some classes were moved into the Hut which, despite having to share the building with the village, has been working well, said headteacher Jean-Paul Draper.

He said the main school building now had a new roof and had been glazed and they were nearly ready to submit a planning application to put a new classroom into what was the roof space of the old building.

He said: “Phase I is complete with the roof re-roofed, the building glazed and reappointed inside and outside and we have secured the money for the alterations.

“The aim is to put a classroom in what was the roof space.

“Prior to the fire there was a horrible suspended ceiling so we have drawn up some plans for a classroom space.

“At the moment we are working through the planning application because it is Grade II listed.”

Pre-planning meetings have been held and Mr Draper said the application should be going in in a matter of days.

He added: “Everything is still running very smoothly with the Hut but we would just like to be back in our building.

“We are looking to definitely get back in by September next year.

“Planning could take up to eight weeks, we have to go out to tender so it does all take a long time.

“We are waiting for something that is going to be fantastic but it is just frustrating to wait. But it is going to be worth it.”

And when the new classroom is finally up and running it will pave the way to get rid of the ‘temporary’ mobile 70s classroom at the back of the school, he added.

“As you can imagine the villagers of Powerstock will be keen to see that moved as it has been here for many years. That is the intention anyway.”

Salisbury Diocese buildings officer Catherine Hannell said it had applied to the government for a £60,000 grant on behalf of the school.

She said: “We are glad all seems to have gone very smoothly with the building work.”

“The money is government funding which voluntary aided schools can apply for.

“There might be some more next year depending on whether the planning application is successful or not.”