 The original school was planned in the 1960s as Cornelius Vermuyden Comprehensive School by Essex County Council and in 1970 a tender was awarded to Higgins Construction for £320,000 to build the new establishment.The new school situated in Dinant Avenue opened in September 1972 and was set in 38 acres of ground.The school was granted Arts College status and pupils from the school were involved in the creation of a large mosaic on Canvey seafront in 2007.