'Unusual' smell prompts school closure

A primary school that was forced to close after staff noticed an "unusual smell" upon arrival on Wednesday morning has now reopened.

Field Court Junior Academy (FCJ) in Quedgeley, Gloucester, asked parents to keep their children at home for health and safety reasons.

Contractors later discovered a seized motor on one of the school's convector heaters causing a burning smell to permeate the building.

The school said there had been no risk of fire as the heater short circuited.

The motor has now been removed for repair, FCJ said in a post on its Facebook page.

"Sincere thanks for your understanding and patience this morning…We would always rather be cautious when it comes to your children's safety," it said.

The school added that parents could now bring their children to school, but said that if they had made alternative plans for childcare then absences would be authorised.

It said lunch would be served as normal and show performances would also go ahead as planned.

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