Colchester's newest school Trinity School under construction

It was announced earlier this year that construction and development group, Bowmer and Kirkland, had been appointed by the Department for Education to begin work on the Chesterwell site in Mile End, Colchester – and building work is at last underway.

Preliminary building has taken place, with the main superstructure being constructed.

It is hoped the framework for the main building will be completed later this autumn.

It marks a step in the right direction for the Trinity School, which is currently sharing temporary premises with the Gilberd School in Highwoods.

The completion of Trinity’s permanent school buildings is expected in September next year at the earliest, after construction firm Laing O’Rourke pulled out of an agreement to build the new school last year.

Although the size of the construction team working on the site will vary, it is estimated there will be 125 builders on site each day during the peak period of building next spring.

Headteacher Mark Orrin is overseeing the move of Trinity to its new site, which could be completed next autumn

Trinity School headteacher Mark Orrin had previously worked at the Gilberd School for 13 years before taking post at the Trinity School and, giving an update on the progress, said he is looking forward to the school settling into its new home when it is finished.

He said: “The Trinity School is delighted that Bowmer and Kirkland is now in contract with the Department for Education and that construction of the Trinity School’s permanent building on the Chesterwell site can now begin.

“We are grateful to Bowmer and Kirkland for undertaking to complete this build by September 2023, having taken on this project after the previously appointed contractors withdrew late into the planning phase.

“We look forward to seeing the build develop and being handed the keys to our exciting new school.”

Trinity School currently has an enrolment of 120 pupils – all of whom are in Year 7 – with the role planned to increase to 180 by the year 2024.

The school aims to have 900 pupils across all year groups in 2027, by which point the new premises will have been used by the school for four years.