King Edmund School has undergone a major redevelopment after finding RAAC and then asbestos
King Edmund School has celebrated the opening of its new main school building, having experienced a “double whammy” of issues. The Esex school in Rochford has undergone a major redevelopment after the discovery of reinforced aerated autoclaved concrete (RAAC), followed by the discovery of asbestos issues.
It’s part of a two-stage redevelopment of the school site. The first phase of works, the new Hawthorn Building, were completed last year with a second stage of the project including new teaching spaces, a new sports hall, a refurbished and upgraded swimming pool and landscaped grounds.
King Edmund could be the best school in Essex
“It’s been several years in the making,” headteacher Jo Ingate said. “The school has had so many challenges, and one of the reasons I took it on was because I knew a new building was coming, and that was an opportunity for us in the community and to change the direction and vision of the school.
“Our vision is that we want to be the best school in Essex. Everything we do is towards that direction. We are unapologetically ambitious.”
The King Edmund School was upgraded by Ofsted from Requires Improvement in 2019 to Good in 2024. The report previously noted “exceptional levels of disruption, because of building works”.
It added: “This has not been the school’s fault. School closures have recurred since the pandemic. Pupils learn on a building site, partly in temporary classrooms. Despite this, they value and enjoy school. Pupils praise the strong support they get from leaders and staff.”
Source: https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/jamie-oliver-open-new-essex-10787153
Image: Matt Lee, Essex Live
