A desperate attempt by parents to save an Ongar school from closure has ended in failure.

The independent Springfield School in Stondon Road has closed its doors after being crippled by a financial crisis.

A rescue bid by anxious parents who tried to inject cash to keep it going until the New Year did not get off the ground.

One of them David Powell, of Powell's Tyres in Ongar, told the Gazette: "We tried to get a package together and to buy some time but, unfortunately, we were unable to save the school. It's a tremendous shame."

Last week three parties were said to be interested in the school but none has been successful.

There are currently no plans to reopen Springfield, originally part of the independent Parents' National Education Union.

The 47 pupils have been dispersed to other schools in the area.

Liquidators were called in after a disastrous fall in students from 160 at the beginning of the decade to the present level.

Fees, currently just under £4,200 a year, are bound to have affected the numbers.

Enthusiastic, parents who have been fighting a rearguard action for some time, appreciated the quality of the instruction and the favourable teacher-pupil ratio.

A pre-school group for youngsters aged from two to five was launched in the autumn but failed to win a reprieve.

It was opened by Mrs Sheila Jeans-Jakobsson, who founded the school 44 years ago.

Her daughter-in-law, Gerardine, took over as head at the start of this academic year. Neither was available for comment.

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