A group of Woodmill pupils returned to their school for the first time today (Monday) after a fire devasted the site in August. 

Pupils from S3-S5 will "hit the ground running" tomorrow as part of the first phase of students going back to Shields Road, who will be using part of the original building and several new modular accommodation blocks.

Students have been taught across seven different sites over the last few months while work progressed to reinstate the school. 

It's been a challenging time for pupils as well as teachers and they were all excited to step back into their school building. 

Headteacher Sandy McIntosh said: "We are very fortunate to have back part of the building.

"Obviously a massive amount of work has taken place over the last few months to make sure it is ready for the young people coming back. 

"The quality of modular accommodation is fantastic. It is very different from the type of modular accommodation that we might have known when we were at school.

"It was a very challenging experience for all of the school community. I think the strength of response we had across the wider community was significant.

"The sense of loss that we had was absolutely palpable.

"There is a real sense of satisfaction that we are back into the school building but we're not all back yet.

"So it is my priority to make sure that those young people feel included in the school community so that they have the same opportunity.

"That will help us as we work toward getting permanently back on the Woodmill site."

Woodmill High School is still a live construction site with work underway on the next phases of reinstatement, to bring all pupils together by August 2020.

It's hoped that S1 and S2 pupils will be able to return after the Easter holidays, with another 20-25 modular classrooms planned for construction. 

Pupils from the Department of Additional Support (DAS) will continue with their current arrangements until the final phase of works are complete and return in the next school session, August 2020.

For more reaction grab a copy of the Press on Thursday.