I am very disappointed that Essex County Council is progressing with its plans for the closure of The Deanes School. When Essex publishes its statutory notices I will make a further detailed and robust response on behalf of parents, residents and the Council.
I remain opposed to the closure of Deanes and will continue to stand up for what I believe is best for Southend’s pupils: a mixed provision of schools, fundamentally focusing on maximising choice.
Whilst I have not yet been provided with all of the decision papers, I do not feel that all of the issues and concerns raised in my formal response to the consultation, and the questions raised by many concerned parents that turned up to the consultation meeting we hosted in Southend, have been answered.