Pupils returning to school for the new term found vandals had smashed more than 150 windows and glass blocks over the summer holidays, writes Paul Warner.

Bicester Community College, in Queens Avenue, has been left to count the cost of the damage, which is expected to be more than 10,000.

Students of the 1,000-pupil school discovered the full extent of the damage on Wednesday. Altogether, 118 windows were smashed and 51 glass blocks, which are set into walls and pillars, were cracked. Staff who returned for GCSE and A-level results, as well as summer activities, were aware of the vandalism, but were unable to stop the attacks, which happened on three separate evenings.

Headteacher Cynthia Bartlett condemned the vandalism and urged pupils who know the culprits to contact the police.

She said the school would not be able to purchase new textbooks and equipment because of the cost of the repairs.

She said: "The school was manned during the summer holidays, but these attacks occurred in the evenings. "We have CCTV in place, but we're on too big a site to be able to cover everything."

Many of the glass blocks that were damaged were located at the new teaching block, which has only been opened in the last 12 months. It was built to replace pre-war aluminium buildings at the school.

Mrs Bartlett added: "The pupils here will be outraged at what has happened and I hope these people are caught."

There has been a spate of attacks by vandals over the summer in Bicester. The Rainbow playgroup, in Hendon Place, was destroyed in a fire a few weeks ago, while the Katharine House Hospice charity shop, in Wesley Lane, has also suffered at the hands of vandals, who smashed windows.

WPc Jo-Anne Beachy, a schools and youth officer in the town, said: "I have no doubt that there are local people, possibly teenagers, who have a pretty good idea of who might be responsible for all or some of this criminal damage.

I hope they will see it as a public duty to get in touch with me. If you have information, call WPc Beachey on 01869 364520 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.