The opening of a new school will be delayed for a second time, leaving students to be taught in temporary classrooms for perhaps another year. It’s the second time the school’s opening has been delayed, as it was originally planned to open in 2021.
The school is set to relocate from Parsonage Downs but is now facing a year-long delay in opening. Neither the school nor the Government were able to comment on the delay or the reasons behind it.
The Government’s Department for Education is working on the new school, which currently operates from temporary classrooms. The latest planning application submitted to Uttlesford Council is for changes and additional sports pitches, and documents reveal that the opening of the two schools will be delayed.
The documents state: “With regards to the construction phase, it is envisaged that the construction of the primary school and associated infrastructure will take ten months, with the two-form entry primary school opening in autumn 2026. The construction of the secondary school and sixth form is expected to take nineteen months, with the nine form entry secondary School and 350 place sixth form opening in summer 2027. The assessment of the operational phase will begin from the first year of occupation, with relevant considerations taken into account for later dates.”
Read more: The Essex adventure centre with trampolines and soft play that will open for free for one day only
Read more: Essex man died from cancer after weeks of delays for hospital treatment
The changes being proposed include relocating the substation, physically separating the primary school from the secondary school and sixth form, increasing the primary and secondary school floor area to meet teaching accommodation standards, and relocating the sports centre to accommodate cycle storage. There are also initial plans for a full planning application for three additional football pitches, a running track, and sports training areas.
Catherine Davis, executive headteacher, said: “Saffron Academy Trust have no control over the timing and delivery of this project but is working closely with Essex Local Authority and the Department for Education to assist in delivering an all-through school on the Buttleys Lane site. To that end, the school and trust have participated in various meetings with the DfE and their appointed construction contractor with a view to improving and optimising the internal building layout, pupil access, vehicle flows and use of outside spaces and facilities. The school/trust are confident that the amended optimised design will deliver a more impactful and improved learning experience for the young people of Great Dunmow.”