A HUGE Bradford school has explained why pupils were unable to return from their summer holidays as planned today.

Year 7 and Year 12 were expected back at St Bede's & St Joseph's Catholic College, in Heaton, this morning with the remaining pupils to return on Thursday.

However, they will now hope to be back next week after a "major, unforeseen ICT/data complication" saw the school close.

The fault means the school is currently unable to operate its IT systems.

Although St Bede's & St Joseph's insist they are working to fix the issue, they are unable to open as normal for the whole of this week.

In a letter on the school's website headteacher, Lawrence Bentley said: "Due to a major, unforeseen ICT/data complication that has arisen we are unable to operate the college information and management system effectively at this time.

"This will severely impact the day-to-day logistics of the college.

"This unfortunate situation is being remedied as quickly as possible, nevertheless, we must delay our opening for students until Monday, September 12.

"Of course, we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this will undoubtedly cause."

They do add that their Year 7 transition programme will continue in the school as normal tomorrow and Friday.