MILLIONS of pounds for new school places in Thurrock have been agreed, as three new schools will be coming to the borough.

It comes as Thurrock Council will receive up to £60 million of funding after sending three bids off to the Government to build brand new schools in Thurrock.

Today's announcment has revealed that the South West Essex Community Education Trust, who run William Edwards and St Clere’s Co-Operative Academy Trust who run St Clere’s Academy, can each build a new secondary school along with a new Treetops Special Free School.

Orsett Health Academy, a mainstream secondary school with a sports specialism will have about 1,200 places for youngsters. It would aim to open in September 2019

Thameside Secondary School, a mainstream secondary school with 900 places could open in September 2018

Treetops Special Free School, a proposed special school with 140 places for pupils between four to 16 years-old, and catering for youngsters with both moderate learning difficulties and autism, is also on the table.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of St Clere’s Co-operative Academy Trust, says he is thrilled to hear today’s announcement.

He said: “Thameside Secondary School will share the ethos of all the schools in our trust, working with the co-operative values of self-help, self-responsibility, equality, equity, democracy and solidarity. It also means for each year’s intake, we will be able to accommodate six full classes of students in each year group.”

Ashlie Hughes, Headteacher at St Clere’s and Executive Head Designate of the new school, said: “St Clere’s Secondary School is a high achieving, consistently oversubscribed school and we welcome the news today that work can continue to expand the trust by including a new free school.”

James Halden, councillor responsible for education says that it marks a major coup for the Thurrock. 

He said: “This is amazing investment. We understand that funding could reach around £60million will be spent building two new schools in Thurrock.

"This massive investment from the government shows how successful and strong the relationship is between the council and our family of schools is.

“We supported these three bids to meet the growing demand – I have complete faith that William Edwards and St Clere’s and Treetops will continue to offer students a fantastic education setting. It is our policy to expand our strongest multi academy trusts to ensure we build more great school places for children and continue to expand the capacity and resilience of our education family.

“The council and schools working together has seen massive investment committed to Thurrock by the government. This will build more good school places and strengthen the capacity of our entire education family as we continue to build a borough that works for everyone."

Thurrock Gazette:

Welcomed move - James Halden, Tory councillor responsible for education

It comes after the authority had already secured funding to develop a new school in Purfleet – run by Harris, and opening in September 2017.

Mr Halden continued: “There are currently 17,000 children in Thurrock primary schools, but only 9,500 places available in our secondary schools.

"It is essential therefore that we build capacity to meet this growing demand.”