A VILLAGE primary school is set to receive a desperately needed upgrade to its facilities.

Copford Primary School, in School Road, is working with Essex County Council on plans to replace four demountable classroom buildings on site with a more permanent option.

The existing structures are in an increasingly bad condition, suffering from mould, damp, uneven floors and even leaky roofs.

Headteacher David Bome said the council had been receptive to the school’s concerns.

“At the moment we are working with Essex County Council and its schools organisation team to put together plans for a new build,” he said.

“It is positive for us and we have been working on things since before Christmas.”

Mr Bome said the school was realistic about the development but hoped works would begin as soon as possible.

He said: “It might not be ready after this summer holidays but I hope it will be complete next year.

“It will mean the whole of Key Stage Two can be in one building. It will make a huge difference to the school but we have to be patient.”

A spokesman for County Hall said: “Officers have been working closely with the school to develop a plan to replace the temporary classrooms with permanent buildings.

“While the final budget and programme for replacement has yet to be agreed, the current target is to have the buildings replaced by September 2021.

“The county council has identified funding in its capital programme to replace deteriorating temporary accommodation such as this with modern high quality accommodation, and replacing the classrooms in question at Copford will form part of a wider programme being delivered.”

Work has started on a similar project at Friar’s Grove Primary School in Colchester with further assessments taking place at schools across Essex.

The spokesman added: “The council will be using its own funds for these projects as well as a significant amount of funding secured from housing developers.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel, whose Witham constituency covers Copford, helped the school press for improvements.

She said: “I have pressed Essex County Council to urgently address this issue and I will continue to urge them to provide the funding required to deliver the necessary building improvements at the school.”