Campaigners battling the proposed closure of Matching Green Primary School have this week signalled that they are prepared to take their fight to the High Court if necessary.

Save Our School campaign spokeswoman Jane Dewhurst confirmed that one of the "drastic" options being considered is a judicial review of Essex County Council's decision to consult over the possible closure of the school at the end of August 2002.

As a result, a fighting fund has been set up and a series of fundraising events - including a quiz night, a raffle and a charity auction - are being planned.

Appealing for donations to the fighting fund, Mrs Dewhurst said: "In the long term, if we do have to go to judicial review it could cost us a lot of money."

With just eight days to go until the end of the first stage of the public consultation on Friday, December 7, the campaign is continuing to gain momentum.

Thursday night's meeting of Epping Forest District Council's overview and scrutiny committee saw governors, parents, and parish councillors present their case.

They argued that following June's disappointing Ofsted report the school should be given a chance to prove itself.

Fyfield district and parish councillor Doug Kelly asked the committee to "encourage" the county council to take the school out of special measures and allow it the opportunity to implement its new action plan.

Cllr Kelly quoted with approval a recent Government report entitled 'Our Countryside: The Future'. This stated: "Local schools are at the heart of many rural communities and a school closure in a rural area can have effects well beyond the schooling of that community's children."

Speaking after the meeting, EFDC spokesman Tom Carne said that a letter would now be sent to the county council requesting that the school be given at two years to improve its performance before closure is considered.

Further support for the school has this week come from Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles who said he had tabled 15 parliamentary questions aimed at clarifying the way in which LEAs should treat schools in special measures.

Mr Pickles said: "I share the concern of teachers, parents and governors that Essex County Council is rushing through plans to close this popular village school without giving the head teacher and staff sufficient time to address the issues raised by Ofsted.

"Such a closure would rip the heart out of the village and is something which I believe should be avoided if at all possible."

He added: "It is a simple principle of fairness that schools placed in special measures should be given time and assistance to try and remedy areas of concern."

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Save Our School campaign is asked to call Jane Dewhurst on 01279 731195.

Published Thursday November 29, 2001