THE most vulnerable children in Southend will benefit from a dedicated educational centre combining three schools in one when it opens on Monday.

The former Cecil Jones College Lower School on Wentworth Road closed in 2015, and has been refurbished to contain two academy schools - as well as pupils from the former Seabrook College.

One school, Sutton House Academy, will teach 50 children with special educational needs.

The other, Victory Park Academy, will provide “alternative” education for 75 pupils, including children from the Seabrook College pupil referral unit and children from elsewhere in the borough with extra behavioural needs.

Both academies will be taught individually, with “experts” brought in to teach and oversee the project.

The two schools aim to drastically improve the lives and educational outcomes of vulnerable children across Southend and with the brand new start comes brand new uniforms.

Councillor Helen Boyd, cabinet member for children and learning at Southend Council, said: “The refurbishment of the Wentworth site is a department for education approved project, which will greatly improve pupil outcomes for some of our most vulnerable young people.

“The site consists of two academy schools: Sutton House Academy, with places for up to 50 children between five and 16-years-old with special educational needs for social, emotional and mental health; and Victory Park Academy, a dedicated alternative provision for five to 16-year-olds with a capacity of 75 pupils.”

Seabrook College, off Burr Hill, is set to be demolished in place of a 60-bed dementia care home.

The college catered for children with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties and had 44 children aged between 11 and 16.

Many of the children had been excluded from schools across the borough because of behaviour problems.

Mrs Boyd added: “Previously students were educated together, and the new site will allow them to be split into two specialist provisions, run by experts in their field. The schools will be run under the multi-academy trust, Parallel Learning Trust (PLT).

“The PLT has a strong record in improving the lives and outcomes of vulnerable children, and their expertise and experience will now be making a difference to the young people in our borough who need it most.” The refurbishment began at the start of the year.