A secondary school will shut early tomorrow because of a “critical” issue with its water supply.

Teachers at Towers School in Ashford have written to parents explaining a problem with its water tank means the site currently has “limited toilet facilities” by 2pm.

As a result, all pupils will have to be sent home early from the Faversham Road school tomorrow.

In a letter to parents, head teacher Richard Billings said this is not a decision he has taken lightly and is working to find a solution.

He said: “I would like to inform you of an issue that we currently have with insufficient water supply to the school.

“Our water tank is not replenishing quickly enough during the school day and, by 2pm in the afternoon, there are limited toilet facilities available.

“We have been in constant contact with South East Water over this issue, which is beyond our control, during the last term.

“However, no resolution has been found. This has now reached a critical point.

“As a result, tomorrow the school will open as normal but will close for all students at 2pm.

“Students will be dismissed from their period four lesson with permission to leave the school site directly at their designated time.

“Parents will be able to drive onto the school site to collect children.

“In order to reduce congestion when students leave the site, we will dismiss pupils in stages.”

All pupils in Year 10, 11 and sixth form will be able to leave from 2pm, while pupils in Year 7, 8 and 9 will be dismissed from 2.10pm.

“I will update you on our course of action for the rest of the term tomorrow,” Mr Billings added.

“I have not taken this decision lightly and can assure you that we are doing everything we can to rectify this situation.

“Despite this, we are still looking forward to Christmas lunch tomorrow; this will be the main meal offer with a small selection of sandwiches available.

“The evening performance of Brainstorm will also be going ahead.”

South East Water’s head of operations (Kent), Nick Bell, said: “We’re sorry to see Towers School is struggling with its water pressure.

“We have visited multiple times to assist them with this issue.

“We’ve taken water pressure readings from outside the school, which has shown there is a good level of water pressure going into the site.

“We think this may be an internal plumbing problem and are continuing to work with the school to help resolve the issue.”