Work has started on a brand new, state-of-the-art teaching block at a Westcliff school worth £3 million.

St Thomas More High School in Kenilworth Gardens will be welcoming pupils into the new teaching block in January 2019, with major construction work expected to finish this November.

The building forms part of a multi-million pound project funded by Southend Council to increase pupil spaces after a recent increase in demand amongst Southend schools, and follows a similar £3 million project at Southend High School for Boys.

St Thomas More headteacher Gemma Ackred said: “We are dedicated to constantly improving and investing in our facilities in order to provide the very best educational experience for all.

“We are delighted with the plans and look forward to opening the brand new facility so that current as well as prospective students can have the brightest future possible.”

In the process of providing new pupil places, the block will offer both basic and specialist teaching rooms, as well as learning resource rooms and extra facilities for young people who have special educational needs.

The block was designed by property and construction consultancy Ingleton Wood, which specialises in the education sector and will also feature an internal fitness suite.

The building is set to be positioned on the site of the playground. Paul Cavalier, partner at Ingleton Wood, said: “Ingleton Wood is proud to be working with St Thomas More High School to deliver much needed future student places for Westcliff and the wider borough of Southend.

“Our core business revolves around providing the best education and public service buildings and facilities, whether through our long-standing work with local schools, Southend Borough Council or Southend University Hospital.”

The building, which is being delivered by Southend-based firm Davis Construction, will be fitted with modern mechanical and electrical installations in order to ensure that it is as energy efficient as possible, including the installation of solar panels.

The new block is being built in response to the growing need for pupils in Southend in order to increase funding after Government budget cuts had a severe impact on the borough’s selective and grammar schools.

Despite some empty spaces in the worst-performing schools and decreased numbers of 11-15-year-olds living in the local area, the borough has been set the target of providing ten extra classes of 28-30 children by 2019.

The development at St Thomas Moore is planned to increase pupil intake at the boy’s secodary school in September 2018 and 2019