Construction on Essex's first 'all-through' school has officially started following a ceremony.

The £34 million school will be the first in the county to incorporate both secondary and primary years.

It is being sponsored by the Chelmsford Learning Partnership, who were formerly The Boswells Academy Trust, and there will be two buildings seperating secondary and primary year pupils.

The 420-place primary school and 56-place Early Years building will be completed in time for a first cohort of pupils in September 2018, but the neighbouring secondary school building will not be ready a year later.

The school will initially have capacity to cater for up to 900 secondary school pupils, growing to 1,200 in future years.

This will be broken down into 180 pupils per school year and an expected 240 in the future.

It will also feature enhanced community sports facilities, funded by Chelmsford City Council.

These will include additional multi-use courts, an activity studio and changing room facilities.

Construction is being undertaken by Kier Construction.

Speaking at today's ceremony, councillor Tony Ball, Essex County Council's deputy cabinet member for education, said: "It's a wonderful facility, but not just the school but the community facilities as well. 

"It has been excellent working with the Chelmsford Learning Partnership and we're very much looking forward to the first 'through school' in Essex. It's something I'm very pleased to see."

Paul Banks, chief executive of the Chelmsford Learning Partnership and executive headteacher of The Boswells School, said: "We are delighted that we are the official sponsor of the new school. 

"It's a hugely exciting project to be involved with but it's not just a new school, it's a new school in a new and emerging community and we are looking forward to not just opening the new school but also being part of that new community."

The ceremony took place on Wednesday October 11.