THE mum of a promising singer owes her daughter’s success to the Deane’s School and said it would be “disastrous” if it closed.

Issie Dowd, of Common Lane, Thundersley, sang at the O2 in London on Sunday, July 7, after beating 9,000 others to reach the national final of singing competition TeenStar.

The 12-year-old has transformed from a shy youngster to a confident performer after staff at the Deane’s School in Thundersley harnessed her talents and prompted her to sing whenever possible.

But the Daws Heath Road school is threatened with closure. Mum Andrea has added her weight to the campaign against shutting the school.

She said: “The school teachers always pull her out to do singing. They have been amazing – they are really interested in her and are very supportive.

“Her confidence is building and she has an amazing voice.

“They are very proud of her. It would be disastrous if it closed.”

Issie made the finals after breezing through local and regional rounds of the TeenStar competition. She was also offered a job when she turned 18 after winning a talent competition at Pontins in Sussex. She performed at a classic campervan show and vintage fair on Sunday near Maldon.