Pupils getting ready to sit exams were forced to evacuate after a fire broke out at a school today.

The blaze, which occurred at Simon Langton Girls' Grammar in Canterbury at 12.55pm, led to all students and staff being asked to leave the building.

It happened shortly before pupils were due to sit a GCSE geography exam and A-level biology and history papers.

They were kept outside for about 20 minutes while the flames were brought under control by a member of staff.

Two fire engines were also sent to the scene.

The school has said it will be contacting examination boards to alert them to the disruption, and request it is "taken into consideration".

In an email to parents, deputy head Paul Pollard said: "We had an incident in school today that resulted in a small fire and the fire brigade attending.

"The fire was very quickly extinguished by a member of staff, the whole school followed our practiced fire evacuation procedures and at no point was any student at risk.

"All students and staff were registered and kept out of the buildings for approximately 20 minutes, after which they were free to return inside."

A fire service spokesman said: "We were called to reports of a small fire on Old Dover Road near Canterbury, on May 21 around 12:55pm.

"The fire was already out by the time crews arrived."

News from our universities, local primary and secondary schools including Ofsted inspections and league tables can be found here.

Read more: All the latest news from Canterbury