A radical proposal by the head of Ingatestone's Anglo European School could lead to a partnership with Trueloves care home which campaigners hope will save it from closure.

Initial talks have already taken place between Bob Reed and Trueloves' project manager, Malcolm Vede, about the possibility of housing overseas students at the threatened home for people with learning disabilities.

Trueloves is owned by the Shaftesbury Society, which announced proposals last year to close it and integrate the residents into the wider community.

But Mr Reed says he hopes Trueloves and the Anglo European can forge "a partnership of mutual benefit" which will meet the needs of both parties.

He suggested that if sixth formers from abroad could live on the site, it would help overcome some of Shaftesbury's reservations about the isolation of the residents there.

And he even joked that it could help to relieve Ingatestone's long-standing problem with school buses, as students would be able to walk to the Willow Green school.

He said: "We have had very tentative initial talks with Trueloves which we need to follow up, and we are simply exploring possibilities.

"We could certainly use residential accommodation, which would serve a need which has been around for some time, for people who live overseas but want to come to this school.

"We are looking at whether there is any scope for us being able to link with Trueloves in a way which meets their needs and helps us out."

Campaigners to save Trueloves hailed the idea as "marvellous news" which offers fresh hope for the future.

Vernon Pritchard, honorary secretary of the Ingatestone and Fryerning Community Association, said: "This is constructive, lateral thinking by Bob Reed and indicates the points that we have made, that there are options that would enhance the possibilities at Trueloves."

A statement from the Shaftesbury Society said: "During the current research phase, Shaftesbury is committed to investigating the widest possible options for future opportunities at Trueloves.

"And in this context we are having discussions with a number of local educational organisations in the area, including the Anglo European School."

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