HEARTLESS thieves made off with 18m of lead flashing from the roof of a Poole special school – allowing the heavy rain to pour through.

Children and staff at Montacute Special School were devastated to find a main corridor flooded with water on Monday as rain gushed through the exposed roof.

Staff spent hours mopping up dangerous puddles and hundreds of pounds worth of school equipment was damaged. Repairs could run into thousands – at a time when the school is fundraising hard for their new building currently being built in the grounds.

Head teacher Jill Owen said: “We are all shocked that someone could do this. The consequence of our leaking roof is that a significant area of the school is not able to be used currently and equipment has been damaged. We have got used to making do and mending over the years, while waiting to get a new building, so we will cope as usual, but it really is the last straw.”

Lionel Chamberlain, Premises Manager, said: “Not only have they stolen the lead, they have punched holes in the panels so daylight can be seen. The storms over the weekend have just run into the building.”

Fundraiser Vicki Edwards said: “The special school will now need to raise funds to mend the roof to keep it going over winter, funds that were about to be used to buy vital equipment and outside play toys. We were about to purchase an amazing wheelchair swing with savings we had made over the last year.

“This was something the children really wanted. The school is half way through Monty’s Appeal, to fundraise for their new school which is due to open in April 2015. This now means the school will have to fundraise for items it had which have now been ruined, rather than buying the new equipment that they need.”

Anyone who would like to help the school in its fundraising efforts should contact 01202 693239 or email vickiedwards@montacute.poole.sch.uk