Parents have been told parts of the school are 'unsafe'

The governors of Great Torrington Community School say parts of the school are unsafe to teach pupils in.

In a letter to parents, the governors include examples of what they claim are inadequate facilities.

But Devon County Council says it has made a lot of investment in the school and is addressing 30 years of neglect.

I have not been in a school as badly decorated as this, with as much damp and rot as this Pam Hargreaves, Chair of Governors

Chair of governors, Pam Hargreaves, says Great Torrington Community School has the worst facilities in the county.

She said: "This is in very, very, poor condition in many areas.

"I have not been in a school as badly decorated as this, with as much damp and rot as this.

"I've talked to other people teaching in Devon schools and they have not seen a school as bad as this either in Devon."

In the letter sent out to parents, governors say they are concerned about unheated, unventilated, slippery corridors; mould, an unsafe roof; rotten window frames; temporary classrooms and outside toilets.

They say that drastic action is needed and have told parents and staff they can no longer be held responsible for health and safety.

Basic need

But Devon County Council is defending its maintenance record at the school.

It says it has already spent more than �950,000 on additional accommodation and replacement windows and cladding.

It has also committed further funding for a coach park and drop-off point and games area.

John Hart, chairman of the education schools services group, insists there are other schools that are worse than Great Torrington.

He said: "We have to work on a basic need issue and there are places that are worse.