Part of the Colne Community School in Brightlingsea has been closed off after asbestos was discovered in a ceiling cavity.

The asbestos was found in a science lab during work over the Easter break, following which the lab and part of the corridor in the school’s science block was closed and the affected areas were isolated. Parents and guardians were informed by email.

Head of school Steven Crane said: “While the material has not been disturbed, we have taken the precaution to close off the science lab in question and part of the corridor in the science block and move affected lessons into another classroom.”

He added: “This was a precautionary measure only as the area has been tested and deemed safe, but the safety of our students will always be our top priority.”

Mr Crane said that work to remove the asbestos will take place during  the half term break at the end of May, after which he anticipates the E5 classroom will be back in use at the start of June.

He confirmed that classrooms in the closed-off section of corridor can be accessed by external doors or via another classroom and, in the event of an emergency, the corridor can be used for evacuation.