A SCHOOL in Hockley has been forced to close for the remainder of the year over safety issues.

In a letter sent out to parents yesterday, Hockley Primary School, in Chevening Gardens, confirmed that the Department of Education had concerns over the presence of a building material.

According to the school, the material, which is called Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was widely used as a building material from the 1950s until the 1980s but is now viewed as “a risk to the safety of buildings”.

When Hockley was built, Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete was used in the school ceiling.

In a letter to parents, David Jenkins, headteacher at Hockley Primary School, wrote: “Yesterday, the Department for Education (DfE) informed us that our school building will need to stay closed next week and for the rest of the school year due to their concerns over the presence of a building material called Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete.

“Very sadly, they have decided the school building is not safe to open.

“We appreciate this news will be very unsettling for everyone, but we must follow what the Department for Education is requiring us to do.”

The school has also confirmed that to avoid disruption to the pupils education, different year groups will be attending at either Plumberow Academy or Greensward Academy.

Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 will be going to Plumberow.

Year 3, 4, 5, and 6, will be going to Greensward.

Mr Jenkins added: “You will understand we have had to make plans very quickly so that the children’s education can continue as disruption free as possible.

“We are fortunate that both sites are in such close proximity and are linked so that we can still have regular opportunities to bring the whole school together.

“Given the very short notice that we are having to put these plans in place, these arrangements will begin from June 19 until the end of the academic team, July 21.

“Next week, June 12 to 16, all year groups will need to learn remotely as we did during Covid.

“Lastly, we want to reassure you that whilst nobody expected this news, we are absolutely determined to make this experience as positive as it can be for the children.

“We have an incredibly strong team at Hockley, and we want you to know that everyone will be doing everything they can to not only make this work, but for the children to continue to have an excellent education with us throughout this time.”

The Department of Education has been contacted for further comment.