A HOCKLEY school that was temporarily closed at the beginning of June is subject to new guidelines on the use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in schools.
Hockley Primary School was closed by the Department for Education (DfE) due to concerns over the presence of the building material.
The DfE published new information on August 31 as schools with RAAC were deemed as ‘prone to collapsing’.
The concrete was used in schools, colleges and other buildings from the 1950s until the mid-1990s.
When the Chevening Gardens school was built, the material was used in the ceiling.
A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “At this stage, we understand that the vast majority of schools in Essex are not affected.
“We have communicated to all Essex schools and have been working quickly to establish schools affected by this new guidance.
“We are working with affected schools to minimise disruption to pupils and families.”
READ MORE:
> All we know as schools to shut over concrete fears after south Essex closure
> Two year groups return to south Essex school in September...as others sent elsewhere
The installation of a series of modular classrooms was delayed and Hockley Primary School has frantically tried to put plans in place for the new school year.
Despite delays, the school confirmed reception and year three pupils will be using two classrooms on the site that are deemed “safe”.
Other year groups will be sent to nearby schools in Hockley.
In the letter to parents, the Academies Enterprise Trust, which manages the school, said it is now hoping for the modular classrooms to be installed by November so all children can return to the school site.
One parent said: “I am relieved to hear this update from Hockley Primary School.
“Even though I am still disappointed with the lack of firm updates from the school as it has taken all this time, I am happy that I do not have to live in the unknown anymore and can now go out and buy his uniform.”
School bosses confirmed ear One and Year Two pupils will be learning at Plumberow Primary Academy, in Hamilton Gardens, and Years Four, Five and Six, will all be going to Westerings Primary Academy, in Sunny Road.
Reception pupils will start on September 6 before resuming full days on September 11, other years will begin on September 5.
Has your child's school been closed - partially or fully - due to crumble-risk concrete? Share your thoughts and concerns with us
The presence of crumble-risk concrete is causing classrooms to be shut at more than 100 schools in England. Three south Essex schools - Hockley Primary School, Kingsdown School and Winter Gardens infant school - have confirmed they will all be fully or partially closed when the new academic year starts next week. However, Harwich and north Essex MP Bernard Jenkin has confirmed 65 schools in the county are impacted by the issue and could shut over the issue.
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