Wickford's new £1.4 millon primary school finally has a name - and a headteacher.

Governors have decided the development on the Wick estate should be called Oakfield Primary School.

Malcolm Buckley, also a councillor for the town, said he hoped the name would be an inspiration to both staff and pupils.

He said: "We wanted a name to reflect the area and the site of the school was once open fields and had a substantial number of oak trees on it.

"From little acorns great oaks grow and we hope that will apply to the development of both the area and the children who will attend the school."

The name was chosen by governors and the school's headteacher after an Essex County Council artist working on landscaping the new site came up with some suggestions on a nature theme.

It should be approved by the county council's Education committee next week.

Mr Buckley said the name of the new head wouldn't be formally announced until after Easter but the governors were confident she would be a valuable asset.

He said: "She is working locally as a headteacher and will have to give in her notice before we announce her name.

"The quality of all the applicants for the post was extremely high and I've no doubt in my mind she will do a very good job.

"We do think she will be a very proactive head and will certainly be good for the area and the school."

In the coming months the head will have the task of appointing other staff members and organising the curriculum.

Building work at the school site in Wick Crescent began ten days ago and is on schedule to be completed by January.

Then up to 260 pupils will begin lessons with the roll rising to 360 by the year 2002 and possibly 420 in the future.

Campaigners spent several years battling for a new school to be built in Wickford following the growth of the Wick estate.

Department of Education chiefs finally approved plans last November.

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