The school still faces a huge clean-up operation

The Newman School faced an estimated �4m clean-up bill after the flooding which hit the city in January.

The floods claimed the lives of three people and made hundreds more Carlisle residents homeless.

Head teacher John O'Neill said the school was open to years seven and 10, with the remaining pupils being taught at another local school and college.

I think it's a real credit to governors and staff and speaks well of the spirit of Newman students John O'Neill, Head teacher

He said: "It's a wonderful day. Less than two months after the destruction of major parts of the school in the flooding we have two year groups returning to lessons."

While repair work continues, other pupils are being taught at Carlisle College and North Cumbria Technical College.

Mr O'Neill added: "I think it's a real credit to governors and staff and speaks well of the spirit of Newman students.

"Most of the building is on the ground floor, which was devastated, but we do have an upstairs in our house block which contains the learning resource centre, library and classrooms.

"We also have three giant classrooms, which have been fitted out as science laboratories."