The Corsham School will undergo major renovation over the next few months, as asbestos is removed from the roof.

Work began on Tuesday and is expected to continue until the end of March following a £250,000 grant from the Government’s Academies Maintenance Fund. The roof over the school’s library and administrative offices will be replaced, with new skylights and insulation installed, as well as a new fire alarm system and fire doors.

Assistant head Marcus Chapman said: “We wouldn’t have chosen to do it now, but we put in a bid for funding and it’s pot luck whether you get it or not. One of the conditions of the bid is that everything has to be in place by March.

“By careful programming the disruption will be kept to a minimum, but there will be some inconvenience.

“Most of the office work is being done in half term, so the main disruption will be closing the library, but it’s for the wider benefit in the long run.”

The school was rated outstanding by OFSTED after it was inspected in December, an improvement on its good rating in 2009.

Headteacher Martin Will-iams, said: “I am extremely pleased with the report. The behaviour and safety of students and the sixth form have been judged as outstanding, and the school’s focus on creativity is mentioned favourably.

“I support the areas for further development and was party to agreeing them with the inspection team.”