Inspectors praise new £45m Cornelius Vermuyden School (From Echo)

Inspectors praise new £45m Cornelius Vermuyden School

1:00pm Tuesday 24th July 2012 in News By Jacqueline McMillan

Delighted – Ben Mitchel-More, Paige Holdaway, Connor Allan, Carol Skewes, headteacher, Georgia Holdaway and Brandon Barns

A CANVEY secondary school is celebrating the results of its first Ofsted report since moving to a new multi-million-pound building.

Cornelius Vermuyden School, in Dinant Avenue, has undergone a £45million transformation, which has seen over 90 per cent of the school rebuilt next to its old Seventies site, over the past six years.

The impressive new facility, which officially opened its doors two weeks ago, is home to a 600sqm sports hall and rockclimbing wall, music recording studios, IT suites, and an “immersive room” with touch-sensitive walls and floors, which allow students to interact with images projected around the room.

Now, pupils and staff have even more reason to cheer after education watchdog Oftsed commended the school as being good in all aspects of their first inspection, despite having to contend with the move and demolition of the old building.

Inspectors praised the well-mannered disposition of pupils, as well as the high quality of teaching, which in some classrooms was “outstanding”.

High praise was also awarded to their services for children with special needs and disabilities, and the “very strong programme of extra classes and one–to–one support for students who fall behind.”

Carol Skewes, headteacher, said: “The judgements in the report give me great pride in our school and our pupils and I am delighted that the hard work of staff, pupils and governors has been recognised by Ofsted. “The school will endeavour to make further improvements and raise achievement. “We continue to be ambitious for the pupils in raising achievement and attainment.”

Rebuilding work started in January 2006, and was completed in three phases to ease disruption for pupils and staff.

High-flying dignitaries from across Castle Point and Essex gathered at the school to mark its official opening, in a special ceremony and tour on July 10.

Speaking at the meeting, Mrs Skewes said: “We were adamant the rebuild would not affect teaching and learning and it hasn’t. “With these new facilities and this inspirational new building our pupils will be able to achieve anything and I’m sure we will continue to get better and build upon our success.”