YEAR 11 pupils have been given full marks for the way they have adapted to conditions after Thornden School started to get back to its timetable after the disastrous fire.

Yesterday they were the first scholars - with vital GCSE work to catch up with - to return to their desks at the fire ravaged Chandler's Ford school.

Today the head Dr Robert Sykes said: "Year 11 returned to school yesterday and behaved very responsibly. We are very pleased and they started the timetable."

Today year 10 pupils were back to school. The head said there were still hoping to get years 7, 8 and 9 back to school on Monday. There would probably be a staggered start but the exact times would be communicated via the website.

As the academic role of the school kicks into gear a squad of workmen were involved in a massive salvage and repair operation in the wake of the £1m-plus blaze. A car park has been transformed into a mini school where ten temporary double classrooms have been winched into position.

Car parking has been switched to the netball and tennis court area.