Plans to merge two struggling Tilbury schools into a learning campus for five to 16-year-olds have been knocked back.

Thurrock's Schools Organisation Committee had to endorse the proposals unanimously if they were to go forward, but members could not agree.

Steve Beynon, Thurrock Council's director of education, was quizzed for well over an hour as he outlined the scheme to create a campus combining St Chad's Secondary and Jack Lobley Primary schools.

But the committee, made up of representatives from the council and each type of school in the borough, was told that Grays Convent headteacher Mr P Kyndt had major reservations.

He said he was unable to support the proposal. He thought Government inspectors from Ofsted should be given time to look at what was being done at Jack Lobley to counter its recent criticisms.

Because there was no unanimity the decision will now be taken by the regional adjudicator which is expected to take at least two more months.

Rob Gledhill, who led the Jack Lobley campaign against the scheme described the decision as "excellent".

But Carl Morris, the council's cabinet member for education, was disappointed. He believed the merger plan "was the best one for the future of the children in Tilbury".

Published Tuesday, March 26, 2002