£1.6m school rebuild unveiled

A £1.6 MILLION re-build at an Essex primary school has been unveiled.

The new school replaces Frinton-on-Sea Primary School's Victorian building, which has been entirely re-built to accommodate new facilities.

This includes seven new classrooms, an information and communication technology suite, a new library and staff room as well as classrooms available for special educational needs pupils thanks to a large-scale re-build.

An authentic Victorian bell is the only remaining evidence of the school's old building.

Among the features outside the Essex school are a new hard play area, a quiet play area as well as a nature area for early years' pupils.

Headteacher Pat Blackwell said she was "extremely excited" about the special ceremony to mark the opening of the new school.

"It's fantastic, before the re-build the Victorian school was old and dilapidated and now it's light and airy with proper classrooms with correct temperatures and excellent acoustics,

"It's brilliant that the school is finally all together under one roof," she said.

The ceremony took place at an assembly in the new hall in front of an audience of governors, former staff and members of the community.

Pupils performed a song about the new school and read out poetry to the audience.

Iris Pummell Essex County Council cabinet member for children's services and schools wished Frinton-on-Sea Primary School a successful future.

"We want the best possible learning environment for all young learners in Essex, and this is another superb new school for the Tendring community," she said.

The project was a private finance initiative jointly funded by Essex County Council and the Kier Group.

Nick Bacheof Kier Groupsaid: "This marks the completion of eight out of 12 school projects under the Tendring public-private partnership.

"Pupils and staff now have a modern, purpose-built school under one roof, replacing a collection of old and temporary structures on the site dating back to Victorian times."