Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois recently performed the official reopening of Greensward Academy in Greensward Lane, Hockley at the conclusion of a £15m refurbishment programme.
The popular school, which is based in the centre of Hockley, has spent the last two years or so undergoing a major refurbishment programme which also included the construction of brand new blocks of classrooms to help accommodate the school’s pupils. The work was delayed at some stages due to the discovery of asbestos, which had to be carefully removed by professional contractors.
Nonetheless, once the project was completed, Mark Francois was happy as the local MP to perform the official reopening ceremony, which followed a production by pupils at the school of a number of dance routines and also the reproduction of scenes from a recent musical.
Commenting at the reopening ceremony, Mark said:
“Greensward Academy is an outstanding school with outstanding staff and it now has a set of outstanding buildings in which to educate our young people of the future as well. This project would not have come to fruition without the successful leadership of Principal Debbie Stokes, who has overseen this job through from start to finish. This is a great achievement for all at Greensward Academy and I was delighted to be present to perform the reopening ceremony.”