Pupils have returned to school after a new building was closed last week following a panel falling from the ceiling.

Hartsdown Academy in Margate was forced to shut on Tuesday, with students in Years 7, 8, 9, as well as IAP pupils learning from home.

The issue arose last Monday night after an acoustic panel fell from the ceiling.

This prompted head teacher, Matthew Tate, to write to parents and inform them this part of the school would be closed after being deemed unsafe due to a “structural issue”.

Yesterday, school bosses confirmed on Facebook all year groups would return today.

In the letter sent out last week, Mr Tate said Hartsdown Academy would be working with the Department for Education and Kier [the building firm] to “rapidly resolve” the problem.

While the work was undertaken on the new building, Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 pupils were unaffected and able to use the old building and sixth form block.

Hartsdown Academy has been contacted for comment.

The school has seen a £10m new-build project in recent years, with the final phase completed last year.