Raac crisis: the south Essex schools to have major refurbishments

A final list of schools and colleges where one or more buildings will be rebuilt or significantly refurbished was published by the Government yesterday after the crumbling concrete crisis swept the county in September.

Kingsdown School, a special needs school in Eastwood, was one of the worst affected after it was forced to close more than 50 per cent of its facilities due to Raac.

Southend West MP Anna Firth, as well as headteacher Louise Robinson, has welcomed the news but have called for more updates as soon as possible.

At this stage, it is not known when work will take place or the scale of the works.

Ms Robinson said: “We are pleased to hear that we will be part of the school rebuilding programme. It would be good to know as soon as possible when the survey will take place so we can move forward.”

Ms Firth added: “I am delighted that following the pressure I have put on ministers in the Department for Education, Kingsdown has been announced as one of the schools which will benefit from the school rebuilding programme.

“This news will give the school some much needed clarity on the future and enable them to minimise future disruption to student’s education.”

Other schools in south Essex to benefit will include, Hockley Primary School, Lubbins Park Primary Academy on Canvey, The Billericay School, The Bromfords School, The FitzWimarc School, Winter Gardens Academy on Canvey, Wyburns Primary School in Rayleigh and Arthur Bugler Primary School in Stanford-le-Hope.

Also on the list are Ortu Corringham Primary School, East Tilbury Primary School, Eversley Primary School in Basildon, St Clere’s School in Stanford-le-Hope, and Merrylands Primary School in Laindon.

Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon, and East Thurrock, added: “The Government has committed to funding major rebuilding projects in five schools affected by Raac. This is fantastic news.”