Angry parents, teachers and governors of Hazelmere Infant and Junior schools in Greenstead have called for amalgamation plans to be scrapped.

At a heated public meeting on Thursday night, councillor and school governor Tim Young attacked the proposals.

Slamming the lack of consultation with Colchester Council, he described the proposals as "deeply flawed".

"We want these plans scrapped. Talk to us and we'll come up with a better scheme," he urged.

Chairman of governors Ron Baker raised concerns that building work required to alter the schools in line with the proposals was badly planned and would disrupt the children's education.

And there was a similar response to Essex County Council from parents at King's Ford Infants School - leave us alone.

Proposals to amalgamate the infant school with the neighbouring junior school met stiff resistance at a meeting on Thursday afternoon.

Parents, parent governors and staff were all opposed to the plans, praising the school's achievements and questioning why things needed to be changed.

Acting headteacher Janet Blackmore said the school was child-centred and because of its size all of the adults knew all the children.

"A change would not be in the best interests of the children's education," she said, receiving unanimous approval from the gathered parents.

Parent governor Lorna Rowbottom presented Brian Catt, senior manager for planning and admissions, with a petition opposing the plans, saying: "The children will lose out."

Parent Tony Havell questioned the economic merits of demolishing one structure and building another in its place as was suggested, and parent governor Roy Mitchell said: "Everyone's quite happy. Just leave us alone."

Chairman of the meeting Cllr Ted Crunden stressed no decisions on the schools' future had yet been made.

"You clearly value what you have got and would like to keep it," he said.

He promised the points raised would be considered when a decision was made.

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