St Mary's Church of England Primary School in Prittlewell, Southend was originally located adjacent to St Mary's Church in the centre of the village.

Although well sited the existing premises were beyond their useful life and there was insufficient land available to construct a new school without demolition of the old.

Due to a shortage of suitable sites in the immediate vicinity the school was relocated into derelict premises formerly occupied by a girls' secondary school.

The new premises were attractively located and provided many welcome facilities, including a particulary fine assembly hall. The two storey building with its high ceilings and window sills also presented a unique set of problems.