Braintree: Head Wants School Open Soon After Fire

2 September 2013, 00:00

The headteacher of a school in Braintree that was destroyed by a fire at the weekend says they are working to get the new school year started as soon as possible.

More than 50 firefighters were called to John Ray Infants School on Notley Road at around 4.20pm on Saturday (31 August). 

When they got there they found 90% of the one-storey building was on fire. It took them more than nine hours to put it out. 

Meetings will take place today to try and put a plan in place that will see the school open in the near future, although it has been confirmed it will not be taking pupils at all this week.

Cllr Ray Gooding, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: "I am very sad for the community as this very fine school has lost its building. 

"The school has excellent leadership and I have every confidence that once we can arrange temporary accommodation they will continue to provide very good education to the children through this difficult period. 

"I am also immediately looking into plans for a properly rebuilt school and will be working with the school leadership on this." 

Sandra Way, the headteacher at the school, said: "I was incredibly saddened and shocked by the fire on Saturday and am disappointed that there will be a delay to the start of the new term. 

"We will be working closely with the district and county council to ensure we can start the new school year as soon as possible." 

Two men who had been carrying out building work on the site were treated for breathing in smoke. 

An investigation into the cause of the fire has started.