SOUTHEND Council is trying to buy houses next to a school to protect children who have to pass through an alleyway linked to the properties.

The council paid an undisclosed sum to buy 57, Windermere Road, one of six houses which separate parts of Sacred Heart Primary School.

One other house has already been bought and the Diocese of Brentwood owns another. The council hopes to eventually buy the three other houses which split up the school grounds.

The school asked the council to act because pupils have to pass through an alleyway at the back of the houses, prompting fears about their safety.

Headteacher Bridget Frampton said: “We have lots of things in place at the moment to ensure the children are safe. They are not allowed to go into the alleyway without a member of staff and they are not allowed to walk through on their own, but this is not ideal.

“The school takes precautions in order to keep the children safe, but we want to make sure we can erase the possibility of anything happening in the future. It is all about prevention.”

Mrs Frampton said the remaining homes would be bought as they come up for sale.

She added: “If anyone is interested in selling we inform the council to follow it up.”

The main part of the school, with the reception and junior block, is separate from the infant block and the main playground. Access between the two parts of the school is through this narrow alleyway at the back of residential houses.

Buying the houses could also allow the school in the future to expand and consolidate its buildings on one site.