An infants school could be closed as part of an educational shake-up in the Harwich area, it has been revealed.

A review of three schools is to take place. One of the options is to close the 153-year-old Little Oakley Infants School due to its small number of pupils.

Essex County Council is to look at All Saints Primary School in Great Oakley, Little Oakley Infants School and Ramsey County Primary School.

Parents were told the news yesterday afternoon by letter. Governors, parents and the community will be consulted before a decision is taken on June 14.

Mike Barnett, education spokesman for Essex County Council, said of the Little Oakley school: "The number of children who can go to school there is reducing. The site is locked against the road and housing and there is no way the school can expand.

"I am sure it will come as a great shock to the community but they will have the chance to have their say."

The reason for the review is down to new Government rules on the way schools are financed and a broader national curriculum.

Headteacher Maureen Reddrop, who has been at the school for 13 years, said: "I sincerely hope the right decision is reached in the best educational interests of all children."

The budget for each school is related to how many pupils are there.

Little Oakley Infants School has 41 pupils aged from four to seven years and two full-time staff but the number of pupils is set to fall to 31 in September.

A consultation paper will discuss the possible closure, an amalgamation of Little Oakley with All Saints School or Ramsey School on either of their sites, or keeping the status quo.

Initial discussions suggest Little Oakley School governors want the school to stay open or, if that is not possible, to link with Ramsey School.

If that happens they are keen for the Little Oakley School to still be used for education, possibly for pre-school children.

Ramsey School governors are in favour of an amalgamation with Little Oakley School, while All Saints School governors want to explore the option of joining with Little Oakley.

A series of public meetings is to be held. The first will be at Little Oakley Infants School, Memorial Club Hall, on April 13.

The next is April 15 at Ramsey Primary School and the last is on April 19 at All Saints School Hall in Great Oakley. All meetings start at 7.30pm.

On June 14 councillors will decide whether to consult further on a specific proposal.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.