COLCHESTER’S newest secondary school is just weeks away from opening and builders are busy working on the finishing details.

The school is expected to move to its permanent home on the Chesterwell development in Mile End, Colchester, at the start of the new academic year in September.

Its 120 pupils, who have just finished Year 7, spent their first year at secondary school sharing temporary premises with the nearby Gilberd School in Highwoods.

There are currently about 100 construction workers working on the site as its opening draws closer.

Gazette: Outside - Trinity School, in Mile End, ColchesterOutside - Trinity School, in Mile End, Colchester (Image: David King)

Gazette: On your marks - the sports hallOn your marks - the sports hall (Image: David King)

Following a visit to the school, Mile End councillor and Colchester Council leader David King was hopeful the school would open next month.

He added: “I have kept close to the project and have now walked through. Builders have done an excellent job of managing a tight schedule and issues arising.

“The Gilberd School does a great job and has done well to look after pupils who are waiting for the delayed new Trinity School in Mile End to open. That has been a challenge to everyone.

“I’m so pleased to say that having visited the site they look to be on track to open September, fingers crossed.

“This will relieve a little pressure on the Gilberd and is good news for all those affected, parents, pupils, and their teachers.”

Gazette: On site - Mile End councillor David King met construction staffOn site - Mile End councillor David King met construction staff (Image: David King)

Gazette: Ready - a classroom at Trinity SchoolReady - a classroom at Trinity School (Image: David King)

Mr King warned that with some work still to be completed, like the laying of turf, it will be a “hard run” to the September target but that it should be ready in time if the project continues to be tightly managed.

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.

Gazette: Classroom - a science labClassroom - a science lab (Image: David King)

Gazette: Headteacher - Mark OrrinHeadteacher - Mark Orrin

Speaking on a previous visit to the site, headteacher Mark Orrin said: “Having our own space and being within our own local community is something the staff are really looking forward to – seeing it really helps to make that vision a bit more concrete.”

Mr Orrin worked at the Gilberd for 13 years before taking on his position at the helm of the new school.