BUILDING FAILINGS FORCE SCHOOL PUPILS TO MOVE OUT

Two hundred primary school children are being moved from a Hailsham School as the building could become unsafe in the future.

Parents of children at the Burfield Academy were shocked to receive the news their school will close and be made safe during the summer holidays later this year.

The pupils are being relocated to the Phoenix Academy in Marshfoot Lane which has raised questions about how a school, only seven years old, can be closed due to severe leaks, unsafe drop-off/ pick-up facilities and inadequate catering facilities.

The school located in Oaklands Way in Hailsham was taken over by the STEP Academy in 2017 and was commissioned by East Sussex County Council the year before. It was built by contractor Kier who is now the contractor responsible for making the building good again.

Planning Permission has been submitted to build temporary classrooms at the Phoenix Academy to house the pupils - but concerns have been raised by local residents about the increase in school traffic in addition to the construction envelope of the building.”

Parents have been assured that the building is currently safe and measures are being taken now to ensure the school is future-proofed. The facilities at the school. Local residents have complained about the lack of parking for parents dropping off children and private driveways and parking spots being blocked.