WORK has started on a major rebuilding of a local secondary school, as timescales for the project have been revealed.

The Bromfords School in Wickford will be completely demolished and rebuilt with two new buildings, a main school building and a new sports centre.

Groundworks are now well underway after beginning in the February half term holiday. Parents were updated in a letter around the February half term, it states "half‑term has seen major progress." The plans were drawn up after it was discovered the buildings had "crumbling concrete" known as RAAC.

The school will have to use temporary classrooms for around three years while building work takes place, according to the plans. The school and the Department for Education are working on the project. Both were unable to comment when contacted by The Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It comes as the school is being taken over by Harris Federation and will become called the Harris Academy Wickford. Last year it celebrated 50 years. The letter to parents also gives rough timescales for the works.

It says: "By June, a temporary building will be in place on the school field, enabling demolition of the RAAC‑affected blocks. The new sports centre is due for completion in spring 2027." It also says students were "briefed" on what to expect after returning following the school holiday, and that the school will "continue to keep them updated."

Bowmer and Kirkland was selected by the Government as the main contractor.

The plans state the development will "better accommodate students, staff and the community; enable the school to remain operational on-site during construction; achieve net zero carbon in operation; and provide improved facilities."

The school is also looking at a new badge and uniform changes for September.