Families in Essex are frustrated as the new school opening is pushed back again, leaving kids in temporary classrooms for another year
Dunmow: Families are feeling stuck as the new school in Essex keeps getting delayed. Kids will still be learning in temporary classrooms for at least another year. It’s frustrating for everyone involved.
Petrina Lees, the leader of Uttlesford Council, has spoken up about this. She’s worried about the ongoing setbacks for the new Helena Romanes School. It was supposed to open soon, but now it’s delayed by a whole year.
She believes the new school should be bigger to handle the growing number of students. With all the new homes being built, it just makes sense. Petrina said she’s disappointed and that families are left in limbo.
She wants a well-funded school that can serve the community. New families moving in should have access to good education. It’s a basic need, after all.
There’s a new planning application in the works, which includes some changes and extra sports pitches. But it looks like the opening of both schools will be pushed back.
The documents say the primary school will take about ten months to build, aiming for an autumn 2026 opening. The secondary school and sixth form will take longer, with a summer 2027 opening planned.
It’s a lot to take in, and the Helena Romanes School and the Department for Education have been asked for comments on the situation.
