Secretary of State Damian Hinds visited Purfleet last week to see progress with the new Harris Riverside building.
The new school, secured after a successful free school bid by Harris, local MP Jackie Doyle-Price will open in the new premises later this year. Pupils are currently being educated in the Harris Mayflower Academy at Chafford Hundred. The Academy will boast sports facilities which will also be available for use by the community.
Jackie said, “this new school will boast fantastic facilities and its location by the Thames is as good as it gets. It underlines our commitment to delivering the best possible start for the children of Thurrock. I am hugely grateful to Harris Federation for their commitment to our borough and their efforts to get this built and open.
I hope now that the broader agenda for the regeneration of Purfleet can make progress. In truth this school could have been delayed by the failure of the wider regeneration plans to make progress and I am grateful to all those who have made sure that we have got to this position. This school is a great example of how the free school programme has allowed us to deliver more school places here in Thurrock in good new buildings where parents want them. I look forward to seeing plans for more new schools be realised.”
Leader of Thurrock Cllr Rob Gledhill said “It is great seeing that promises of new infrastructure before expansion is being delivered in Purfleet. This school will make a massive difference to those who attend locally and really shows the Conservative commitment to move the borough forward and not have it stuck in the past. I thank the Harris Academy and the Conservative Government for ensuring the will and money was made available to have this project delivered”
