Work has begun on a new state-of-the-art, two-storey classroom block at Mayflower High School in Billericay.

The work is to replace four demountable buildings and provide better teaching facilities at the school. It is set to be completed before Christmas.

The two-storey, six-classroom block will have full disabled access and modern heating and cooling systems.

The use of contemporary, modular construction techniques means it will take just four months to complete the work, rather than up to ten months for a traditional building.

Property and construction consultancy Ingleton Wood, which specialises in the education sector, is managing the scheme.

They gained planning permission and secured funding through the Government’s Condition Improvement Fund.

Family-owned contractor, Built Offsite, will oversee construction, with the new classrooms set to open in November.

The existing demountable buildings in the area are currently being demolished to pave the way for the new block to be erected.

Chris Mabbutt, senior associate building surveyor, based at Ingleton Wood’s Billericay office, was delighted with the project’s approval and is looking forward to it being completed.

He said: “We are delighted to be leading on a project which will provide modern, state-of-the-art classrooms for the school.

“It will offer fantastic educational facilities for the students, both now and in the future.

“In particular, we are very pleased to have secured funding through the Condition Improvement Fund – money that is set aside by the Government specifically for academies.”

Celebrating its 50th Anniversary last year, Mayflower High School has over 1,500 students and gained an “outstanding” rating in its last Ofsted inspection.

Headteacher Lee Brumby is delighted to take the school one step further with the development, as they look to match their ambitions

He said: “At Mayflower High School we are always looking to offer the very best experience we can for our students, with both education and facilities.

“We are committed to continued growth and improvement and these brand-new classrooms will go some way to realising that ambition.”

Last month, Mayflower High School students gained excellent GCSE and A-level results.

Exactly 50 per cent of A-level students received a A*-B grade with a 98 per cent pass rate across the board. The school received a 76 per cent pass rate across the board with four pupils receiving grade 9s and A* to A grades across all subjects.

The school last year celebrated its 50th anniversary with a celebration event which saw students burying a time capsule among other celebrations.