THE first ever studio school in Thurrock will open next year, and its headteacher believes it will “transform the lives” of her pupils.

The Ockendon Academy will be one of 12 studio schools nationally opening in September, and alongside another school in Clacton, it will be the first in Essex.

Studio schools are designed to be more like a workplace than a school, open from 9am to 5pm year-round, combining academic study with employability skills.

The small schools, for up to 300 14 to 19-year-olds, also work with businesses in the area to offer paid work placements to pupils.

Barbara King, headteacher of the academy, in Erriff Drive, South Ockendon, said: “I’m delighted that we have been approved to open a studio school, which will help transform the lives of many young people by giving them the skills and qualifications that they require to succeed.

“Thurrock’s regeneration agenda will require more people who are able to take full advantage of future opportunities in apprenticeships, further and higher education, and leadership and management roles.

“We truly believe that The Ockendon Studio School will play a vital role in making this a reality.”

The school has several employers from Thurrock interested in working with them already, including Vopak Terminals UK at West Thurrock.

Dawn Sims, Vopak’s HR manager, said: “As an international employer with local employment opportunities we are pleased and proud to support the concept of a studio school to ensure our young people become skilled, work ready employees of the future”.

Six studio schools are already open across the country, and a further fifty are in the pipeline.