ST KATHARINE’S Primary in Savernake fell victim to the harsh weather over the weekend after a lightning strike caused a limb from the oak tree to fall off and destroy a large part of the play area.

Niki Jones, head of St Katharine’s, received a call on Saturday from a neighbour to the school informing her of the incident, just days before the school is set to open its doors again for the new school year on Monday.

Mrs Jones said: “It was such a shock. It is a fairly unique experience. I am very glad the school building itself hasn’t been damaged and that it happened at a time when nobody would have been hurt.

I didn’t make it up to the school until Sunday. The tree took a direct hit and a third of the bark had split off and landed on the play area and equipment. The climbing frame is destroyed and it has caused damage to the telephone and internet lines. It also caused damage to the fireman’s pole and PE shed.”

The work, which will begin on Thursday, will mainly be to clear the debris and ensure that the tree is stable before pupils return for the new school year. As well as the outside damage, the sewage system and the telephone lines will be examined to see if any works need to be carried out.

“We are getting tree surgeons in this week to try and get everything cleared so we can reopen as scheduled on Monday. I have been assured that it will be clear by next week and that it will be business as usual for the school.

"We need to ensure that the integrity of the tree is safe. I think it is going to need more work on it to make it balance. It is such a shame as it is a beautiful 500-year-old tree. It has a tree preservation order on it so we will have to wait and see,” added Mrs Jones.