A SCHOOL which cares for children with special needs has been demolished - and work will start soon on building a new one in its place.

The bulldozers moved in to Market Field School in Elmstead Market three months ago and now all remnants of the former building have gone.

Work on the new school will begin soon and it should be ready for use by next September.

Head teacher Gary Smith said: "It is really exciting.

"The builders are really good blokes and have been really accommodating."

Mr Smith, along with parents and staff, had lobbied for a new school building for nearly ten years.

 

Gazette:

The old school was originally designed for 60 children with special educational needs when it opened in 1976.

However, demand has rocketed and the school currently has 194 pupils.

As it struggled to cope, more and more temporary classrooms were put up in the playground – which was dubbed Shed City - and offices were converted to teaching spaces.

The school hall had to double as a dining area and there was only one room for more than 100 staff – which did not even have a window.

Finally, the school won support for an £8 million new building.

While the new school it built, students and staff have relocated for a year to the Stanway Federation Learning Centre, the former Alderman Blaxill School in Paxman Avenue, Colchester.