A SCHOOL could be saved after County Hall education bosses put plans for its potential closure on hold.

The consultation on the closure of St Mary’s Primary, in Woodham Ferrers, has been put on ice for six months to give the school more time to “explore other options” to remain open.

A spokesman for the school said: “The main focus is on increasing the number of pupils within the school as a whole.

“This can include reception children from September 2019, students entering into any other year group within the school and the option to offer ‘flexi-schooling’ for parents whose children are currently home-schooled and want to include their child within the education system on a part-time basis.

“This would work alongside the usual school hours for full-time children.”

The consultation has been paused so the school can try to find an alternative to closure, review its enrolment numbers, including for reception-aged children for 2019.

School leaders will also review its financial viability.

In a letter to parents, county council education director Clare Kershaw said: “Once these actions have been completed a further decision will be taken on how to proceed in the process.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your contributions during the consultation phase of the process.”

County Hall education boss Ray Gooding said more time was “clearly needed” for the school to find a way to remain open. He added: “We will evaluate the situation again in June 2019.

“In the meantime this decision means that the school will be admitting children into reception and all other year groups from September 2019, and applications for places can continue to be made in the normal way on our website.”

A plan the school is keen to continue reviewing is “flexi-schooling”, where children are registered with the school but only attend part-time. A school spokesman said: “The flexi-school idea is in the early stages of discussion but we need the community to show interest for us to take this further.

“The school itself is privileged to be set with far-reaching countryside views and a wonderful friendly environment within the school too.

“We have the opportunity to turn this school into something more amazing than it already is.”