SOME children will have been out of school for at least five and a half weeks by the time disruption to the timetable at St Luke’s School comes to an end.

And there is still confusion over whether the situation will be resolved after the half-term break.

Of the school’s 69 pupils, 30 are still not back in classes, and some have been told that they will be unable to return before the half-term break, which has already been extended to two weeks rather than one.

Parents are angry at the school’s lack of communication and at being offered inappropriate alternatives for their children, many of whom have special educational requirements.

Kelly Jesko, whose 11-year-old son attends the school, said: “He’s not allowed back in at all, and they don’t even know if they’re taking him back.

“They told me that they were bringing out a work pack, but they put it through the post. He met his tutor yesterday – that’s only an hour at home, every day.

“There are only two people in his class who are in school full-time at the moment.

“I spoke to the head yesterday who said that she can’t tell me a lot, because she doesn’t know a lot.

“They should have been prepared for the year 7 start, but the headteacher said they had seven people off sick.”

Steve Harling’s 13-year-old stepson has been recalled to St Luke’s after initially being told he would spend three days this week at another school. He said he had received a letter from the school, asking parents to be patient.

The letter, from the acting head of school Lisa Bailey, said: “We are working closely with Swindon Borough Council, to increase capacity here at the school, so that we are in a position to start a staggered return for all pupils after half term.

“In the meantime, a member of staff at St Luke’s will contact to make arrangements for your child’s education.”

Ali Hills, whose 11-year-old son is back in classes, and only missed two days when the school was partially closed, said: “Luckily he doesn’t seem to have been affected, which I’m really happy about. “Some people have been sent work home, and some have tutors at home.

“I think the ones who are considered the highest risk have been sent home.

“Communication between the school and the parents has been diabolical. The website has no information; I phoned the school and they told me it was all rumours.”

Questions about the partial closure of St Luke’s were put to the school, but they refused to comment. Swindon Borough Council were also unable to comment.