More than 50 children were turned away from lessons after thieves stole a section of a school’s roof.

Part of Halfway Houses primary was forced to close on Monday when staff discovered damage to its oldest building had been caused over the weekend and the classroom below had flooded.

Some 53 children in reception year at the school, which celebrated its centenary last week, were sent home as their classroom, a corridor leading to it and an outdoor covered walkway were leaking.

Metal from the roof was taken over the weekend and police suspect the thieves were trying to steal lead, although there was none up there as it was stolen two years ago.

Buckets were placed inside the building to collect the water, but the floor was sodden.

Children were back in school on Tuesday having their lessons in a multi-purpose room in the same block.

Caretaker at the Southdown Road school, David Cooper, said: “It’s a complete and utter mess.

“The ceiling is cracking, bowing and pouring water and one of the classrooms is completely flooded.”

Secretary Sheila McGee added: “It is our oldest building they have damaged – the one that is 100 years old.”

And chairman of governors, Garry Philpott, said he was disgusted at the thieves’ actions.

“The school has had two great weeks – with its SATs results and centenary celebrations – and then we come in on Monday to discover this,” he said.

The school is working with Kent County Council and its insurance company to make sure repairs are carried out as soon as possible.

• Kent Police is investigating the theft and anyone with information is asked to contact police in Sittingbourne on 01795 419182 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting crime reference number CY/000862/11.