BUILDING work is set to start within weeks to expand schools in Harwich and Manningtree.

As the children enjoy the holidays, workmen will be heading in to create new classrooms.

It comes after Essex County Council agreed the works in a bid to create much-needed school places by 2020/2021 – though it is expected there will still be a 1,000-place shortfall across the county.

Manningtree High School is one of 15 schools in Essex expanding in the next six years.

Work is starting next month to create space for 150 more pupils by joining two existing buildings on the site with new rooms.

Headteacher Sally Morris said: “Essex County Council forecast that there will be an increased demand for secondary school places in the Lawford and Manningtree area over the next few years, due in part to the amount of new homes being built in the area.

“Based on this forecast, the council is funding the building of two new science classrooms, four new general classrooms, a new ICT suite and a new science prep room.

“This work is due to commence in August and should be finished by September 2020.

“Once the build is completed, when the local need is there, we will be able to take up to 30 more students into Year 7 from then on.

“The increase in numbers will be gradual – we won’t be taking 150 extra students in 2020.”

Lawford Primary School, in Long Road, is set to expand by 210 places by 2021/2022.

On its website, all but one year group in the popular school are currently full to capacity and anyone wanting to join has to join a waiting list.

In Dovercourt, Mayflower Primary School, in Main Road, is set to expand into the adjoining building which used to be the adult learning centre.

Work is set to create 70 new spaces.

Headteacher Elizabeth Bartholomew said the building work would take place during the summer holidays and will increase the size of six current classrooms as well as creating four new classrooms in part of the former Adult Community Learning centre.

She added: “Although this building work has caused an upheaval, we are all extremely excited about the school’s expansion so we can accommodate a larger number of children in each of our classrooms.”

Harwich is also listed by Essex County Council as being set to get 210 extra primary school spaces by 2022/2023 but there is no confirmed location at the moment about where that would be.