A "DANGEROUS" school affected by crumbling concrete will be rebuilt, the government has announced.
Mistley Norman Primary School is one of 46 schools in Essex affected by collapse-prone reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) included in a school rebuilding programme announced by the government today.
Almost 40 per cent of the 119 schools included in the programme across England are in the county.
Another 22 schools in Essex will receive grants to fund the removal of Raac from their buildings where works will typically be smaller in scale, including Manningtree High School and Harwich and Dovercourt High School.
Harwich and North Essex MP Sir Bernard Jenkin said: “The timing of these projects is still not known but the government is going to manage the rebuilds itself to ensure they are done as quickly as possible.
“I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported the campaign for these school rebuilds, and my thanks also goes to the headteachers and staff of all the schools that have been impacted by this crisis.”
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Education secretary Gillian Keegan told schools to close buildings where the lightweight building material was present just days before the start of the school year in September last year.
Ms Keegan said: “Nothing is more important to me than the safety of every child and member of staff in school.
“We will continue to work closely with schools and colleges as we take the next step to permanently remove Raac from affected buildings.
“I want to thank all schools, colleges and local authorities who have worked tirelessly with the department to ensure all children remain in face-to-face education.”
Mistley Norman had already closed before the widespread school closures in September, with the school's 68 pupils spending the rest of the last school year being taken by bus to another school three miles away.
With no prior funding to repair or replace the existing buildings, children have been left facing a 20-mile round trip to Two Village Primary School in Ramsey.
Sir Bernard previously defended the government after it faced criticism for axing Labour's Building Schools for the Future programme.
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