THURROCK Council's elected councillor responsible for education says that the failure of a pledge by an education trust and the government to build a new school building will not result in children missing out on secondary education in the borough.

Last week Thurrock Nub news revealed the failure of the South West Education Trust to reach agreement with the Department of Education in time to ensure completion of a new school building at the Orsett Heath Academy in time for the prospetive new year seven to move in next September (2023).

The Trust has said it will now not be able to offer any places - causing considerable disquiet and disappointment among parents.

Cllr Barry Johnson, cabinet member for children's social care and education, washed the council's hands of responsibility for the failure but promised no children would go without an education offer. However, he fell short of confirming they would all be in the borough boundary.

He told Thurrock Nub News: "Although we have worked closely with the DfE on this project it is a project that is managed by South West Essex Community Education Trust and the Department for Education and not in Thurrock Council's control.

"The council is responsible for ensuring all pupils secure a school place. The application process for secondary schools has recently opened and we are confident that every secondary school age child in the borough will be offered a place at a school in September 2023."

Thurrock Council's Labour group has reacted to the situation at Orsett heath Academy with a damning condemnation.

In a statement, shadow education spokesperson Cllr Martin Kerin said: "It is shocking news that, due to issues with the Tory-run Department for Education (DfE), a whole cohort of Thurrock children in Year 6 will be denied the chance to start Orsett Heath Academy in September 2023.

"For parents to find out, on the very day that the admissions window opens, that Orsett Heath Academy (OHA) are taking an enforced 'gap year' just defies belief. For parents of Year 6 children, this time of year is stressful enough with important choices being made about their children's education. This news must feel like a punch to the gut, and it simply isn't good enough. It is especially bad for parents who already have children at the OHA and now face the prospect of their children being educated at different schools.

"As the South West Essex Community Education Trust (SWECET) have made clear, this issue is out of their control. The blame for this lays squarely at the door of the DfE. The national Tory government appears to be mirroring the Thurrock Tory administration in being completely unable to deliver infrastructure projects on time. Thurrock Council must now do everything in its power to support the families affected by this, and ensure that Thurrock children do not pay the price for this Conservative incompetence."