In late July, Earl Spencer Primary had lead stolen from the roof. In August, 13 laptops were taken from a locked classroom and lead was later stolen from the roof.

In September there were a further three break-ins. On September 19 a pair of double doors were badly damaged after an attempted break-in, and on September 22 lead was stolen from the roof.

The next day, after the lead was replaced, thieves climbed back on the roof and stole the replacement material.

Head teacher Anne Partridge urged members of the public to keep an eye out for the school.

She said: "You get to the end of your tether after a while.

"During one break-in we had 13 laptops stolen. How many people does it take to carry 13 laptops across a floodlit roof?

"Someone must have seen something. Every problem we have with this we go through the same rigmarole with moving classes around, reporting the crime, talking to the police.

"I've got a bill of more than £8,000 just for the laptops and while we are insured, we still have to pay the first £500."

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said the Spencer Safer Community Team had taken steps to prevent the school being broken into again.

She said: "We have stepped up patrols and officers have been made aware of the problem.

"It's sad that community property like this has been targeted.

"We really need people in the neighbourhood to keep an eye out and inform us if they see any criminal activity."

A spokesman for Amey, the company responsible for security at Northampton's primary schools, said: "We are working closely to devise and implement a robust security system to minimise any future threat."