HARLOW MP Robert Halfon has issued a statement following the announcement of new teaching arrangements for Sir Frederick Gibberd College.

Mr Halfon said: “Since the shocking news was published that Sir Frederick Gibberd College would be closed, I have worked continuously with the school and with the Department for Education to understand what happened, and to establish the next steps and plans for the affected year groups.

This afternoon, I met again with officials in the Department and the school, and I am pleased to share further information and updates for the affected pupils, families and wider school community.

1. Year 7 pupils will be placed in Mark Hall Academy from the start of the school term on 6th September. A free bus service from the Sir Frederick Gibberd site will be provided. 
2. Sixth Form pupils will be placed in BMAT STEM.
3. Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 pupils will be placed in temporary accommodation, similar to professional exhibition structures. These will be equipped with a full suite of classrooms, windows, carpeted floors, fully-functional IT, furniture and all the required educational resources. Toilets, catering, and a sports space will also be provided. Construction of these will begin imminently with pupils expected to return to them from 11th September.
4. Longer-term temporary classrooms will also be built swiftly and are expected to open for pupils by the end of the Autumn Term, if not sooner. 
5. For children with special educational needs, the Trust and the school are contacting parents directly to discuss the additional requirements which will be established for their children. If you have not yet been contacted, please do reach out to the school directly. 
6. A number of parents have also contacted me about the Greenwell school site. Although Caledonian Modular was involved in the initial planning, their engagement did not even reach the final design stages and a new firm has since taken over. As already planned, the temporary site for Greenwell will open this September (on Commonside Road), with the new site on Tendring Road due to open in September 2025.

“Late last week, the Department received the final report from two engineering firms commissioned to investigate the building structure. After considering the findings of the reports, the results and the decision to close the school were communicated to Sir Frederick Gibberd on Friday 18th August. The Department is currently conducting further investigations to decide whether to repair, or to rebuild the school, and will also be investigating all aspects as to what happened, as well as the potential for reclaiming the costs from parties who are involved. 

I know this is a deeply worrying time for parents and for the school community. Like myself, I know everyone is responding at pace to prioritise the return of school pupils. These are early details, and the school has sent more detailed information to parents this evening.

I would like to thank again, the incredible Headteacher, teaching and support staff at the Sir Frederick Gibberd College and BMAT Education Trust who are continuing to go above and beyond to ensure that clarity and support is provided to parents as quickly as possible.

“I will be holding a Special Surgery Meeting for parents affected by the College closure on Thursday 24th August. From 4.30-5.30pm, I will host a Town-Hall Zoom Call, and from 5.30-6.30pm, I will be holding an in-person surgery. For any parents wishing to attend either of these sessions, please do contact me directly at [email protected] in order to receive the zoom link, or the location for the in-person event”.