A STRUGGLING primary school will be joining a major south Essex trust permanently in a bid to improve the school.

The South East Essex Academy Trust (SEEAT) and the Department for Education has confirmed that Heycroft Primary School, in Benvenue Avenue, Southend, will be joining permanently.

Heycroft has been working with the trust following an “inadequate” rating by Ofsted earlier this year.

The Department for Education has now chosen the trust to continue with the school on a permanent basis.

Southend Council say the conversion to academy status will begin in September and should be complete in 2024. 

Andrew Cooper, chief executive at SEEAT, said: “We are very pleased that the Department for Education selected us to continue our journey with the school and fully welcome them into the SEEAT family.

“SEEAT were always keen to stay in post and maintain that continuity for the children, parents and staff going forward.

“As previously mentioned, an action plan has been drawn up to address the areas of concern and we will continue to introduce those changes and improvements over the course of the next academic year.

“We wish all the staff, children and families of Heycroft and all our schools, a very happy summer holiday and we look forward to continuing to support the school in the next academic year and beyond to make sure every child gets every opportunity to prosper.”

In January, governors were told to submit a “rapid improvement plan”.

The education watchdog gave the school the lowest rating in February, days after the entire governing body resigned.

Governors had faced criticised from Southend Council over the way the school “was being managed” and Ofsted inspectors said pupils had not received an acceptable quality of education.

The rapid improvement plan that was then since developed between the school, SEEAT and Southend Council are already showing strong improvements, bosses say.

George Hayes, chair of the interim executive board at Heycroft Primary School, added: “The appointment of SEEAT as sponsor for the future of Heycroft Primary School will provide the best possible stability and smooth transition, building upon the hard work that has already been undertaken.

“The school has already made significant progress and this transition will formalise arrangements with SEEAT and build upon these strong foundations.

“I am grateful to both the Local Authority and SEEAT for their ongoing work and support for the school.”