A SECONDARY school in Trowbridge was forced to close on Wednesday when flash floods left corridors impassable.

Heavy rainfall left up to four inches of water in corridors and classrooms at the John of Gaunt School on Wingfield Road.

Headteacher Andy Packer said: "We had a flash storm which led to flooding in several parts of the school that made certain areas impassable.

"There were two areas inside buildings where water funnelled in, leaving the classrooms adjacent to these areas unusable.

"The school is on a slope so because of the sheer scale of the downpour and also because it's autumn some of the drains became blocked very quickly.

"This led to parts of the school being flooded."

Mr Packer said the kitchen had to be closed, meaning the children would not have been able to have lunch.

The closure decision was made at 10.45am. Most children had gone home by noon and the school made arrangements for those children whose parents were not at home.

Mr Packer praised the efficiency of the staff and pupils and said: "I was delighted by the way in which the children remained sensible and staff rallied together.

"As in many adverse situations it brought out the best in people and showed the true spirit of the school."

The damage was superficial and no emergency services were called out.

The school reopened on Thursday.