With the country now gradually emerging from Lockdown, Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, took the opportunity to visit Sweyne Park school, to view the site which has been allocated for six new classrooms from next year.

As part of his visit, Mark participated in a Zoom call with school bursar Simon Smith and education officials from Essex County Council, who have launched a local consultation exercise regarding the school’s new expansion plans. Under the proposals, construction would begin within a few months, to enable the classrooms to open in September 2021, at the start of the 2021/22 academic year.

The expanded capacity at Sweyne Park, which is rated Outstanding by OFSTED, is being financed by section 106 agreements, previously entered into by property developers building new homes in the town and thus the costs will not fall on the taxpayer. 

Commenting on the plans, Mark Francois said:

“I was very pleased to visit Sweyne Park, to express my support for the new classrooms as part of the County Council’s consultation exercise. Sweyne Park already provides a very high standard of education and it is encouraging to see them now beginning to expand this further, to benefit more local pupils. I fully support these plans and look forward to them coming to fruition next year.”