Thundersley: Deanes School Will Close

2 September 2013, 17:52 | Updated: 2 September 2013, 17:55

Essex County Council has announced the Deanes School in Thundersley WILL close, despite a six week consultation and a campaign by parents.

The decision has been made because of falling pupil numbers at the school - a decline the County Council does not believe will be reversed. 

Councillor Ray Gooding, who is in charge of Education in Essex, said: "It is a fact that pupil numbers are declining across the area, it is a fact that the Deanes School is not the preferred local school when taking into account parental preferences. 

"It is also fact that schools are funded largely on a per pupil basis which means a declining roll will have a negative impact on a school's budget and the quality of education provided. 

"I have considered planned housing developments, predicted pupil intakes, birth rates and in-migration and I have grave concerns that the projected figures and trajectories do not add up to provide the yearly intake of 120 pupils which it is widely agreed the school needs to survive. 

"Local pupils will be offered places in high performing schools and have the opportunity to perform better themselves as a result." 

There will now be a phased closure of the school over the next three years, and pupils are expected to take up places at two others in the area - Appleton and King John. 

The decision has angered parents who campaigned against the decision. A Facebook group dedicated to the cause had more than 3,000 members. 

Basildon, Southend and Castle Point Councils have all also opposed the closure.

Janet Butson's son, who has autism, is about to start at Deanes. She told HEART she may now have to take him out of mainstream education: "There is not another school in the South East which would cater for him in the way Deanes will. 

"He's bright, he shouldn't be at a special needs school because his academic level is high. Deanes have recognised that." 

Another mum, Rebecca Howard, says they will fight the decision: "He (Councillor Gooding) has declared war, and we're going into battle "They are closing a good with outstanding aspects school. We're not talking about a school in special measures without parental support." 

She also believes there won't be enough room at other schools to cater for all the children: "If this goes ahead and they close the school, there will be 100 children in the Castle Point area that will not have a secondary school to go to. 

"And I'm not talking about sending them to Basildon or Southend because they will not have any spaces. 

"There will be 100 children Essex County Council will not be able to educate. And that's just one year, that will go up and up and up."