THE appointment of a new head teacher was the icing on the cake for Middleton St George youngsters, who returned to their fire-ravaged primary school on Monday.

Janine Gleeson, deputy head, was unable to be there for the momentous day. She was facing an interview panel, which chose her to lead the school into a new era. She will take up her new post in June.

Coun Doris Jones, ward councillor and governor, said: "I spoke to parents who said their children were dressed and ready for school at 7.30 and 8am.

"They were absolutely thrilled to be back in their own school again. And they are even more thrilled now because Mrs Gleeson has been appointed the new head teacher.

"We had some good candidates, but she shone above the rest with her brilliant presentation."

An equally delighted Mrs Gleeson, who will oversee the eventual transfer into a new £3m school on the same site, said: "It is so nice to be home."

Pupils and teachers were bussed to the old Firthmoor Primary School in Darlington as a temporary measure following the fire in February. Two classrooms, the hall and the roof of the Victorian building were destroyed.

Four temporary classrooms and a dining room-cum-hall have been provided and part of the original building has been made habitable.

"It was an adventure for the children when we first went to Firth Moor, but it was time to return.

"It was very tiring for them by the end of the day and it was time for them to be back in their community.

"The council has been really fantastic to get this ready in such a short time. I have been told to call them immediately if there are any problems and they will come right away.

"Catherine Pollard, acting deputy head, managed to get all 228 pupils into the temporary building for the first assembly. It was a welcome back but also to tell the children exactly where they were allowed to go."

John Buxton, director of development and environment, said: "Our priority was to make sure that the pupils and teachers suffered the minimum amount of disruption. We wanted to make sure they were all safely back in class as soon as possible after the fire.

"We were just happy to be part of what was a real team effort on all sides.