Thousands of pupils at two schools in south east Wales have had the start of term delayed while finishing touches of building work are completed.

Parents of about 2,000 children at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni in Bargoed and Lewis Boys School in Pengam, Blackwood, were informed of the delay by letter during the summer holidays.

The construction of the new buildings was on time

Schools across the UK have suffered high-profile delays at the start of term due to Criminal Records Bureau checks on teaching staff.

But the south Wales announcement came after it was realised that despite �48m of construction work - paid for through a private finance initiative - being completed on target, extra time was needed to furnish the classrooms.

Head teachers of both schools affected have said that no pupil will miss out on any schooling because of the hold-up, saying the quality of the new buildings will offset any delays in the short-term.

They confirmed that five inset training days - which are usually spaced out across the whole school year - are being held in one week.

Staff have been at the new buildings in both schools since Monday.

We are obviously frustrated, but we are delighted with the facilities

Dr Christopher Howard, Lewis Boys' comprehensive

The delays have meant that pupils will have a staggered start to the beginning of term.

Sixth form students will start on Monday and Tuesday, followed by new pupils joining on Thursday.

The rest of the children will start school on Monday 16 September.

Both schools had been campaigning for new buildings for the last 15 years.

Hefin Matthias, head teacher at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, said: "We have been receiving resources from the other schools and we have been preparing the rooms for the children.

"There was a need to do this effectively so we pushed back the school for a week.

"We realised we would have to delay the opening during the summer holidays.

Dr Christopher Howard said the delay was frustrating

"This is a first class building and we want to launch ready for the pupils," he said.

His comments were echoed by Dr Christopher Howard, the head of Lewis Boys' comprehensive.

"�48m is the biggest investment in Valleys education in 20 years - a week late is a small price to pay.

"We are obviously frustrated, but we are delighted with the facilities rather than the slum conditions we used to work in," he added.

Parents have expressed disappointment over the delays in opening.

Diane Sykes, has a daughter, Lauren, in Year Nine of Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni.

She has already had an awful long holiday without the delay

Diane Sykes, parent

"She has already had an awful long holiday without the delay," said Ms Sykes.

"It's not so bad for me because I have child care but I'm sure some parents are finding it hard."

Ballast PLC, the construction company behind the building work at both schools, confirmed that everything was going to plan.

"The handover of Lewis Boys' school site to the management company - who will run the school for the council - is taking place on Friday.

"Teaching staff have arrived this week and the children will start next week as planned, " said a spokesman for the company.