DEFIANT parents say they will still send their pupils to the Deanes School, Thundersley, despite the threat of closure.

Dozens of prospective students and their parents were invited to a crisis meeting at the school in Daws Heath Road, on Wednesday to hear what the future holds.

Jan Atkinson, headteacher of the school, urged parents not to be put off and continue applying for places to help prove its continued viability to Essex County Council.

Loyal parents said they are committed to doing just that.

Kelly Turner, of Springfields, Vange, who’s son Alfie is in Deanes’ Year 10, is still determined to send her two younger sons there in the next two years.

Ms Turner said: “If parents stop their children from coming to the school then what chance has it got to survive?

“People should have faith. It is such a good school and I wouldn’t want my children going anywhere else.

“When I first went to the school and saw the tired old buildings I thought ‘I’m not sending my son here’. But once you see how hard the staff work and how well your children progress that doesn’t matter.”

Tara Kay, of Ash Road, Hadleigh, said she moved to the area from Birmingham specifically to send her son Owen to Deanes and was committed to sending her younger son, Arron, there in two years’ time.

She said: “We wanted Owen to come here because of the good Ofsted report and its fantastic reputation.

“We moved to Hadleigh specifically because we would be in the catchment area. Despite what’s happening we are still going to send Arron there.

“We are so happy with the school, we judge it purely on its performance and its great results. I would encourage all other parents to do the same.”

The county council’s scrutiny panel will touring the facility on Wednesday to hear evidence on why it should stay open.

It will then publish a report by the end of August before councillor Ray Gooding makes a final decision on the school’s future on September 2.

Glenwood special school headteacher Judith Salter will be making a joint presentation with Mrs Atkinson at the meeting on their shared vision and commitment to colocating to provide a flagship allinclusive school for Essex.

Mrs Atkinson said the Department of Education had encouraged her to pursue academy status, which could see the school out of county council control by January.

Mrs Atkinson said: “Next week it is our turn to give our evidence and we will be ready. We are still open for business and we want everyone to know that.

“People are relentless in saying how good this school is and how inclusive it is and howwemake a real difference to children’s lives. We are confident we can turn this around.”