MORE than 1,000 schoolchildren will have to resort to “virtual lessons” at home as their school closes for a month over Christmas.

Pupils of Castle View School, Canvey, will get an extra two weeks holiday as the school packs up and moves to a new site.

The secondary school, in Meppel Avenue, will shut for good next Friday, and reopen on January 9, at its new £28million base on the grounds of Furtherwick Park School.

Despite the disruption it will inevitably cause to some parents, headteacher Gill Thomas says pupils’ education will not suffer.

Youngsters will be asked to teach themselves at home by logging onto an online “virtual classroom” during the closure period.

Headteacher Mrs Thomas said: “Letters were sent to parents in September along with term dates for the year.

“These explained when the school would close to pack up and unpack, due to the whole school moving, and they reassured parents that their child’s education would not suffer.

“The decision was approved by the governing body.

“No parent has raised any concerns with the school about this.

“We appreciate parents’ support and understanding through this change and hope the move will cause minimal disruption to their children’s education.”

She also said some students will be able to make up the time by attending “revision sessions” in the New Year.

However one parent, whose 13-year-old daughter attends the school, was not impressed.

She said: “I will have to take time off work which is incredibly hard at Christmas.

“I know they have to move, but Christmas seems the silliest time to do it.

“If I took my kids out of school for a holiday for two weeks I’d be slapped with a fine.”

Canvey town councillor Ray Howard, who is also a county councillor, added: “I do have sympathy for parents who have to take extra time off work, but this is a once in a lifetime event.

“If it was going to be a regular thing then I’d be the first one to complain.

“This new school is going to be showpiece for Canvey and the benefits it will bring to students will make up for this disruption.”

Jerry Glazier, NUT spokesman for south Essex said there was never a good time to make such a big move.

He said: “I’m sure the school has done everything within its power to minimise disruption for pupils. This online learning resource is a recognised educational tool.”

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