DAMNING pictures today showed a row of portable toilets brought in as one school riddled with duff concrete scrambled to get ready for the new term.

       The measures at St Thomas More Comprehensive in Eltham, South East London, came as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt promised schools he would “spend what it takes” to fix the concrete crisis and keep children safe.

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       St Thomas More Comprehensive in Eltham still plans to open tomorrow Credit: LNP 2

       The school has brought in a tranche of portable toilets ahead of the new term Credit: Gary Stone

       St Thomas More, which has crumbling concrete in its hall, gym, canteen, drama studio and boys’ and girls’ toilets, still plans to open tomorrow.

       Marquees believed to be for teaching were seen outside St Francis Catholic Primary School in Ascot, Berkshire.

       Scaffolding was also seen outside Hornsey School for Girls in North London as work to reinforce classroom ceilings continued.

       Elsewhere, heads have been forced to revive lockdown-style remote working, while others have erected pop-up classrooms.

       READ MORE ON SCHOOLS

       CLASS ACTION Parents told schools will be fixed 'extremely quickly' with kids back tomorrow

       TOXIC FIBRES Fears crumbling concrete could release deadly asbestos fibres in schools

       In all, 104 schools have been ordered to fully or partly close over fears buildings will collapse.

       However, Mr Hunt did not rule out fears that as many as 7,000 could be affected.

       He said: “Safety, getting kids to school, we will spend what it takes to make that happen.” But he admitted more school buildings could soon be forced to close, with dangerous asbestos threatening to wreak further havoc.

       Children’s commissioner Rachel de Souza said: “I’m particularly concerned about the most vulnerable children in special schools.

       “In the Covid pandemic, the worst thing we did was keep children away from school.”

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