A headteacher has thanked parents for their support and understanding after their school was closed for a week due to the discovery of asbestos.

Children will attend Broke Hall Community Primary School in Ipswich today for the first time since the summer holidays after the doors remained shut last week because builders disturbed the dangerous material in the school’s library.

Many parents backed the temporary closure following the announcement, saying they were pleased the school had put the safety of children and staff first.

In a letter to parents on Thursday, headteacher Jenny Barr said: “I would like to thank you all for the support and understanding that you have shown regarding the decision to close the school.

“I have really appreciated your comments and the messages that you have sent.

“Please be reassured that I would not reopen the school if I was not totally confident that the school was safe for your children and the staff.

“It is disappointing that the school will not look as we would wish and there are logistical issues to overcome.

“However, the priority now is for us to welcome you and your children back to school and the teaching and learning to begin.”

Mrs Barr explained in the letter that a significant number of books in the library would have to be removed, including those in the children’s reading scheme.

But she added: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of the books, however, initially I feared the whole library would be lost and that is not the case; in time we will restock and rebuild the library – that occasion will be a day for celebration!”

The school has been in contact with the supplier of its reading scheme books and replacements will be sent in the “very near future”, the letter states.

Clean-up work will continue at the school while the children start the new term.

The students will not be able to enter the library area and one class will be moved to the school’s music studio.