A boy of 15 has appeared in court accused in connection with a £3 million arson attack at a secondary school.

The youth, who cannot be named but lives in Newhaven, was at Eastbourne Youth Court yesterday remanded to secure accommodation .

Police first arrested the boy soon after the huge blaze at 900-pupil Tideway School in Southdown Road, Newhaven, on April 5.

He was re-arrested on Monday night and accused of arson and burglary.

No bail application was submitted yesterday by the boy's solictor, Stuart Grace, and he is due in court for a commital hearing on May 10.

Meanwhile, it emerged yesterday that Tideway will be off-limits for pupils for the next two weeks during a clear-up operation.

The £3 million repair cost is triple the original estimate and East Sussex County Council education chiefs believe it could be a year before work is completed.

The county council said the school's priority was to restore normal lessons as soon as possible for students.

A spokesman for the authority said it was anticipated they will be able to return in two weeks.

He said that, in the meantime, priority was being given to Year 11 pupils as they face their GCSE exams in the next few weeks.

Brighton and Hove City Council has offered GCSE students facilities at East Brighton College of Media Arts (Comart), which has been accepted.

The school in Whitehawk is due to close in August and may be taken over by City College for the teaching of trade skills.

The county council spokesman said: "Although many staff have been involved over the holiday period with planning, the whole staff met for the first time on Monday. Staff were understandably distressed at the scale of the loss but were determined that the disruption to students' learning would be kept to a minimum and were keen to rise to the challenge ahead.

"Within two weeks it is anticipated the school will have access to sufficient accommodation to ensure all students can return to full-time education.

"In the meantime, Brighton and Hove City Council has offered the school the facilities at Comart for Year 11 students and this has been gratefully accepted.

"Staff from Tideway are now working at the school to set up a full revision programme that will be delivered by Tideway staff."

Tideway headteacher Adrian Money said: "I am so grateful to all the staff and students at Comart and to Brighton and Hove City Council, who have agreed to help us out at this difficult time."

During the next few days, students in Years 7 to 10 will be provided with materials and guidance to enable them to work from home.

Meetings will be organised with parents to explain the arrangements.

Last week's blaze destroyed Tideway's main hall, reception and staff rooms and more than 70 firefighters from across the county tackled the fire.

At its height, flames shot 60ft from the roof and later it emerged the school had not been fitted with sprinklers.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said the fire might not have spread so far had sprinklers been fitted.

The school is running a helpline, 01273 517601, and the council has a web site - www.eastsussex.gov.uk - where further information can be obtained.