A Surrey infant school has been forced to close after dangerous crumbly concrete that can collapse without warning was found – cutting access to all six of its classrooms.

Pewley Down Infant School in Semaphore Road, Guildford shut on Tuesday 31 October after Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was found throughout the building.

Head teacher Clare Brunet said they were seeking "urgent clarification about what needs to happen to ensure the buildings are made safe" in a letter sent to parents giving them one-day's notice of the closure.

It read: "I recognise that this news will be unexpected and a shock, and I apologise for the late notice, please be reassured we are doing everything we can in the circumstances."

She said that health and safety comes first and that "despite the frustration of having to close Pewley Down, we would rather be cautious."

It means there are now at least seven schools in Surrey with potentially crumbling concrete as well as the high profile venues such as The Harlequin Theatre and Cinema in Redhill, Reigate Police Station, and Frimley Park Hospital.

On Wednesday November 1, reception and year two pupils were moved to the Holy Trinity junior school site.

Children in year one are being walked into town each morning and taught out of the Trinity Centre near Holy Trinity Church.

Breakfast clubs and after-school provision have been cancelled.

The school has said it has been in contact with the Department for Education to "hurry up" the next steps and find a longer-term solution.

RAAC was found in the two-storey section of the school, as well as holding up the floor of the hall, and the year-two classrooms.

A full structural survey has been commissioned and work will need to be carried out to make the school safe, the school told parents.

A letter read: "Clearly this will take time and so, for the time being, it was confirmed that Pewley will remain closed."

The school's Holy Trinity site has been surveyed and given the all clear.

A spokesperson for the school said: "In line with advice from the Department for Education, Pewley Down Infant School was closed on Tuesday, October 31. Following a detailed survey, the school was advised that RAAC is present in the building in an area that affects all six classrooms and so we took necessary immediate action. 

"As always, our top priority is the safety of our children, our staff and the wider community. 

"The school notified all parents, carers and staff of the closure and has communicated each

day to update them on a situation that has rapidly unfolded. 

"We recognise that, while the closure of Pewley Down was a necessary decision, it is not an easy one for our parents, carers and staff to navigate. 

"Holy Trinity Junior School remains open and has been used to enable face-to-face education for all the children at Holy Trinity Pewley Down to continue. 

"We continue to work closely with both the DfE and Guildford Diocese to plan the school's next steps, and await a full structural survey to ensure works can be completed to re-open the building safely. 

"We have been astounded by the support, kindness and empathy shown by the whole school community."

Headteacher, Dr Clare Brunet, said: "The whole community has been nothing short of incredible."