Date set for Selsey Academy pupils to move into temporary new school

Some of the 400 pupils are already being taught back on the school site.ks16000968-5 SUS-160922-162512001

The 400 secondary school pupils have been studying at various locations around the town since a massive fire gutted their school on August 21.

Some of those students have already returned to be taught in portacabins on the school site, and the rest will return to be taught in the temporary buildings currently being put together on November 1.

In order to ensure an effective start to their time in the temporary buildings, there will be an inset day on Monday, October 31, TKAT, the school’s trust, announced today, Tuesday, October 4.

Construction of the temporary school will be completed by November 1, in time for pupils to move in after the half-term break

This time will be used by staff to prepare the classrooms and resources needed to deliver the full curriculum.

The temporary school, which previously housed the staff and students of Bohunt School Worthing, will enable all students to return to learning on-site.

The 117 single-storey buildings will come complete with high-quality facilities, including science laboratories, workshops and food technology spaces, a canteen and school hall.

Tom Garfield, head teacher of The Academy Selsey, said: “We are incredibly excited to make the move into our temporary school at the start of November.

The devastating fire burned for seven hours on Sunday, August 21. Picture by Eddie Mitchell

“This will be a brilliant home while the new permanent buildings are constructed and will enable the staff to deliver the full curriculum. “Although we are fully aware that the transition will bring with it some logistical challenges, we are working with all of our partners to ensure students have a positive learning experience.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the whole community for the incredible support they have given.

“I am delighted with the way that all of our students have engaged with their work during this unusual time, and having all the students back together at The Academy Selsey site will be a key part in our return to normality.”

Students and parents are invited to visit the temporary buildings on the afternoon of October 31, to familiarise themselves with the site ahead of the return to term.

In addition, on Thursday, November 10, The Academy Selsey is hosting another drop-in session for parents to visit the temporary site.

The fire, which raged for more than seven hours gutting the school, is believed to have been started accidentally by workmen on the roof.

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