A GOVERNMENT minister has praised Kingsdown School’s headteacher for her “wonderful and remarkable work” to get children back in school despite the crumbling concrete crisis.

Baroness Dianna Barran MBE, minister for school rebuilding and finance, visited the special needs school in Snakes Lane, Eastwood, after more than 60 per cent of the school was closed due to the presence of Raac.

School bosses were told of the presence of Raac on August 31, just days before children were due to return to school.

Echo: Aerial shot - illustration of the affected and non-affected areas of Kingsdown SchoolAerial shot - illustration of the affected and non-affected areas of Kingsdown School (Image: Anna Firth)

However, thanks to the hard-work of headteacher Louise Robinson and the Southend SEN Trust the school was reopened on September 11 using a portacabin as a staff room and just ten classrooms.

On Monday, Baroness Barran visited the school after Southend West MP Anna Firth invited her to “come and see for herself” the difficult conditions the school is working under.

The minister viewed all Raac affected areas of the school and praising Ms Robinson, for her “wonderful and remarkable” work in getting all the children back to school within a week.

Baroness Barran also confirmed that Kingsdown remains at the top of the Government’s list of priorities and is receiving the attention of one of the Department for Education’s most senior caseworker.

Ms Firth said: “I am delighted that Baroness Barran visited Kingsdown school on Monday.

“There is no substitute for seeing things with your own eyes and on viewing the site it was very clear that the minister fully understood the urgency of the situation and the pressures that the staff and children are working under.

“I was also very pleased to hear that Kingsdown remains a priority for the Government and intend to ensure that the school is both a short-term and a long-term priority.

“Thank you to head, Louise Robinson, and SEN Trust CEO, Jackie Mullan, for giving up their valuable time to accommodate yet another visit and to all the staff for helping our most vulnerable students retain teaching and care they desperately need in this very challenging time.”

Echo: Head - Louise RobinsonHead - Louise Robinson (Image: Newsquest)

Despite the school reopening, a number of crucial facilities remain unavailable including the swimming pool, music room as well as catering spaces.

Because of the additional needs of the children, a number of pieces of specialist equipment are used and the timetable differs from traditional lessons.

Speaking to the Echo exclusively earlier this month, Ms Robinson admitted she feared there was “no end in sight”.

Southend Conservative councillor responsible for children’s services, education and learning Helen Boyd, Department for Education official Jonathan Duffy, and director of education, inclusion and early years Liz Hunt were also present on the visit.

Speaking on the school’s behalf, Julie Cushion, chair of members SEN Trust Southend, said: “We’re grateful to Baroness Barran for taking the time to come and visit Kingsdown School and seeing the extent of the issues the school is dealing with in situ.

“It was extremely useful to have all the relevant people together so detailed discussions could be had and timelines agreed. Hopefully now remedial actions can be expedited.

“I thank the minister for coming to see Kingsdown for herself this morning.

“It’s an eye-opener seeing the extent of the Raac and the remedial work that has to be