A "significant" part of Aylesford School in Warwick has been forced to close due to safety concerns.

Most secondary school pupils will be forced to start the new term from home next week after a number of issues needing "immediate specialist attention" were discovered at the Tapping Way school.

Aylesford said it has taken expert advice and will only be allowing year seven students to come to school from Monday (September 4), followed by year 12 pupils on Wednesday (September 6).

The primary school - which was built in 2015 - is not affected by the closure, and all primary year groups will return on Tuesday (September 5).

In a letter to parents, headteacher Tim Hodgson and chair of governors Richard Lyttle said: "It is well known that many school buildings built in the 1960s were constructed using methods and materials that would not be used today.

"Unfortunately, during scheduled building work this summer, contractors employed by the school discovered a number of issues that will need immediate specialist attention."

It added: "To ensure the safety of everyone in our school community, we have been forced to close a significant area of the school whilst work continues to resolve all the issues. 

"We have taken expert advice and understand that it will simply not be possible to re-open and operate as normal next week."

The remaining year groups will have to work from home from Wednesday.

Access to the school via the Shelly Avenue gate will not be possible as works are carried out and parents are asked not to visit the school.

"We will update all parents on Thursday next week; it is our intention to re-open to all year groups from Monday 11 September and we will confirm on Thursday whether this is possible," the letter added.  

"We will communicate directly with the Parents/Carers of those students who are eligible for Free School Meals early next week.

"Thank you for your support and understanding whilst we work to resolve these issues."

The news comes as more than 150 schools nationwide have been identified as having a potentially dangerous type of concrete in them.

The full list of schools has not been released by the government, and Aylesford has not said exactly what works will take place this week.