Parents have backed staff and teachers at St Anne's Primary School.

But news of the possible closure or Fresh Start scheme facing the struggling primary school and nursery has hit parents hard.

And many fear what will happen to their children if the option of simply closing the school is pursued.

They learned the school was in jeopardy on Monday night when they got letters from Essex County Council, the local education authority.

News of the two options - closing the school and giving it a fresh start - was the talking point of parents bringing their children into school.

Dad Brendan Bloomfield said he was glad the preferred option at the moment was giving the school a fresh start.

He said: "The school is an important part of the community. All three of my children have been there.

"I've quite happy with the school over the years and they have been happy there too. They try hard at the school."

Other parents joined Mr Bloomfield in lauding the school's ability to produce happy children who enjoy schooling.

Vanessa Robinson, whose six-year-old daughter Georgia is at the school, said: "My children have always been happy here. I don't want to see the school closed.

"There are issues with some of the children but my children have always got on well there. Where will they go if the school is closed? Other schools in the area are full."

Tracey Sargent, mum of Chelsea, eight, and Connor, seven, said: "Most children appear to be happy there."

She added she was particularly concerned about what might happen to the nursery part of the school because her three year old son Brandon-Lee attends it.

Published Wednesday, June 25, 2003

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