Benfleet school to get temporary classrooms and new laptops

The Appleton School, in Croft Road, was forced to shut three large teaching blocks just days before term started due to the presence of Raac.

So far this term, pupils in Year 8, 9 and 10 have all been learning remotely but Andrew Sheldon, Essex county councillor for South Benfleet, has confirmed temporary classrooms are on their way.

Thanks to a Department for Education grant, laptops have been sent to children learning at home.

Mr Sheldon said: “Essex County Council has supported the school in sourcing temporary classrooms and onsite plans are already being made for installing them.

“As well as supporting Essex County Council in finding classrooms, I am grateful to our MP Rebecca Harris for helping to pre-emptively clear out issues that could be had with planning for temporary classrooms.

“Our MP also arranged a meeting where the Department for Education gave a commitment to pay for laptops for those pupils who don’t have access to one at home for hybrid learning.

“I understand the school has already distributed the first batch of these already.”

Raac has forced the closure and partial closure more than 150 schools across the UK, with Essex the worst impacted county in the country.

Further studies are being carried out at the Appleton School to determine if “suspected Raac” can be confirmed as the potentially dangerous concrete.

Mr Sheldon added: “The first survey at the school found confirmed Raac in some areas and suspected Raac in lots more. Pupils and staff cannot enter areas where Raac is suspected for their own safety. When Raac is confirmed or suspected in corridors or stairwells it cuts off access to other classrooms, which is why so much of the school closed.

“I made sure Essex County Council got a specialist surveying team into the school to do an in depth and comprehensive Raac survey as soon as it could be arranged.”

The Appleton School has been contacted for comment.