[1] The Becontree estate was the largest public housing project in the world when it was completed in the mid-1930s.
Recognising the need for education but with no responsibility to provide it, the London County Council transferred 24 acres on the western edge of the estate to Essex County Council, who built a technical college (the South East Essex Technical College) and a secondary school (South East Essex County Technical High School) on the site.
[3] During World War II, the college was requisitioned by the UK military and used for training.
In 2012, the former main building was being marketed as "Mayesbrook Manor" to potential occupants.
New buildings on the rest of the site were collectively named Academy Central.