Skip to main content

Temporary classrooms open in the Freight House

Category

Rochford District Council has stepped in to provide temporary classrooms for local children whose school was forced to close. 

The King Edmund School, Rochford, had to be closed due to the discovery of asbestos during Department of Education (DfE) works to build a new classroom block at the site. 

Essex County Council (ECC), which is responsible for the school, is working closely with the DfE to ensure the asbestos is removed safely following strict guidelines. 

Meanwhile students were facing working from home until the work had been completed. 

However, Rochford District Council has now stepped in to provide space in the recently re-opened Freight House for use by teachers and around 30 pupils. 

From this week children with special educational needs (SEND) will receive their education at the Freight House until the school is ready to accept pupils again. 

Cllr Simon Wootton, Leader, Rochford District Council, said: 

“I am delighted that we were able to provide this resource and lessen the disruption in the education of these young people. I want to thank my staff in the Council and our partners in Fusion who worked so hard to prepare the spaces in the Freight House and ensure it was fit for purpose.” 

Jonathan Osborn, Headteacher, King Edmund School, said: 

"On behalf of the school, I want to thank everyone involved in making this happen.  We are extremely grateful to Rochford District Council, as well as other partners, for the way they have supported us at speed to meet the needs of our students - it speaks volumes about the commitment of the council and its officers to the young people who attend the King Edmund School."