Youngsters are set to benefit when a Phoenix rises from the ashes of two old schools.

Bluehouse Infant and Junior Schools in Leinster Road, Laindon, are joining forces to become the Phoenix Primary School at the beginning of the next school year.

The school was named after a mythical creature in the hope it would appeal to youngsters at the school.

A phoenix appears in the latest Harry Potter novel.

Mabel Butcher is acting head teacher for the infant and junior schools and will be headteacher of the new school. She said: "I am looking forward to seeing the progress of the children from nursery age through to year six."

The infant school has just received a top gong for its achievements in the tests kids take at the age of six and seven and hope next year to do just as well with the older pupils at the united school.

Published Tuesday, June 3, 2003

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