King Edmund School and DfE under fire over asbestos discovery

The King Edmund School in Rochford was closed on Tuesday after builders discovered “traces of asbestos” while preparing to begin construction on a new 30-classroom school block, replacing an old building which was demolished in May.

Surveys were carried out before the demolition was undertaken by a previous contractor, however a later survey undertaken by a new contractor raised concern about potential asbestos in the rubble.

READ MORE

• Southend Airshow revival plans appear dead as group behind project goes quiet
• 'Christmas for developers' as Government ruling leaves Basildon green belt at risk

The DfE is awaiting further testing of the samples before issuing a further update.

“I don’t know if I’ll be seeing my daughters back on Monday,” one concerned parent, who wished to remain anonymous said.

New block - An impression of the new school building (Image: King Edmund School)

“We have so many questions that they are not answering.  There are lots of factors that affect whether this is a big issue, or whether it is not that big of a deal, but nobody is telling us anything,” the father-of-two said.

“It’s bad enough finding out the school is closed at the last minute, but to leave us worrying over just how bad this could be is awful.”

He added: “It can take 30 years for asbestos to take hold and cancer symptoms to appear, so we need these answers. I can’t be waiting until my daughters are in their 40s to find out.”

The Echo quizzed the DfE on the type of asbestos found, where it was found, and whether it was an airborne sample.

The government department says it will issue and update following urgent testing.

Jonathan Osborn, headteacher at the school, told parents in an email sent out on Tuesday night that the work is likely to take two to three days, and the school will be closed as a “precautionary measure” until it is completed.

“The process of demolition undertaken by Net Zero Buildings on behalf of the DfE was complex and took account of the safe containment and disposal of any asbestos in the building,” Mr Osborn assured parents.

“Traces of asbestos in the survey samples was therefore surprising.

“The advice given to the DfE, which they have then given to us is that, as a precautionary measure, the school site should be fully checked and that this work can be more quickly and simply accomplished with the site free of staff and students.”

It is expected the school will reopen on Monday.

“I apologise for any inconvenience that this may well cause you,” Mr Osborn said to parents.

A second irate parent told the Echo: “The lack of communication has been astounding.”

“I first read it was asbestos related on Facebook before hearing anything from the school.”

The parent, who has a son in year 11, added: “My boy was set to sit his mocks and now that is all up in the air.”

A DfE spokesman said: “The safety of pupils and school staff is always of the utmost priority. We advised that the school should close only as a precautionary measure to ensure the contractor can complete a full assessment.

“We are working with the school, local authority and contractor to reopen the school safely as soon as possible.”