RESIDENTS have finally been told officially a former secondary school will be turned into a referral unit for vulnerable children.

Last month, the Echo revealed the empty Cecil Jones Lower School, in Wentworth Road, Southend, is set to be refurbished. It will cater for 125 youngsters from Seabrook College, which currently has four centres around the town.

Southend Council admitted it was caught off guard when company Davis Construction revealed details of the conversion on Facebook.

Council officers and the Parallel Learning Trust, which will run the school, have now sent letters to neighbouring households.

Brin Martin, director of learning at Southend Council, and Mark Jordan, acting chief executive of the multi-academy trust, apologised for their lack of communication.

The letter reads: “There has been some recent publicity about this joint venture ahead of planned communication to inform the community, for which we apologise.”

The letter also confirms that the Department of Education approved the plans in March 2017.

Councillor responsible for education, James Courtenay, said: “We were disappointed that the council were not able to get something out to the community before it was announced on social media.

“Going forward, residents will be informed as and when there are significant updates.

The former Cecil Jones Lower School closed in May 2015. Its 300 Year 7 and Year 8 pupils moved into the upper school, in Eastern Avenue.

Under the new plans, there will be a dedicated area of the school for 50 children with social, emotional and mental health needs. There will also be a pupil referral unit with a capacity for 75 children.

The letter states: “Currently Seabrook children are all educated together but the new site will allow them to be split into two specialist provisions.

“This will greatly improve the service offered, aid school improvement and raise pupil outcomes.”

Mr Courtenay added: “Things are coming together to bring everything onto one site. It will free up other centres that can be developed to benefit the community as a whole.”

It is hoped the facility will be ready to use by spring 2018.