PUPILS and teachers at a school saved from closure are delighted to be back for a new term.

Twelve months ago, the future of the Deanes School, in Daws Heath Road, Thundersley, was plunged into doubt when Essex County Council threatened to close it over falling pupil numbers.

But following a campaign by parents, teachers, pupils, and backed by the Echo, the school was saved.

Now £2million of works have taken place to create a new reception area, a student services area for a pastoral support office, an attendance office and new toilets.

Parents, staff and students also contributed to the project, pulling together for a 72-hour makeover to the school’s sports centre and fitness suite.

Desi McKeown, assistant headteacher, said: “It’s lovely to see. I think it’s been quite a surprise that for so long the school has looked tired, but now things are really looking up and things are changing on a daily basis.

“Pupils love the student area. They have one place to go for all their problems to be dealt with. A lot of them say they feel they are being treated more like adults now.

“It’s exciting to be back. The physical remodel is almost a rebirth.

“This is a new start. We have a full staff and we have a new intake of pupils all ready to start the term and the building is starting to look better.”

The second phase of works, to be completed by March 2015, will see the main block revamped with new windows and exterior doors and a new roof for the technology block.

With all eyes firmly on the school’s future, Mr McKeown said staff couldn’t wait to open the school doors to prospective pupils and parents in an open evening on Thursday, September 11.

He said: “This time last year we did not think we would be having an open evening on the Thursday. It will be nice for parents to see that things are moving, so that by the time their children start here the changes will be complete.” The school has entered into partnership with the Billericay School to become an academy, with an update on the application expected later this year.

Mr McKeown said: “We are working with the Billericay School and it is full steam ahead and we have already begun to share staff. It’s an exciting time for the school.”

HANNAH CHANDLER, 15, in Year 11, from Thundersley, said: “I’ve been here since Year 7 so now it’s all refreshed. It’s different from what we had before. It’s a lot brighter now as before it looked a bit gloomy.

“The toilets are so much nicer now – they were quite awful before.”

LEWIS DAVIES, 15, in Year 11, from Leigh, said: “It’s a relief to be moving on from last year.

“Last year it was really stressful and devastating because we thought we were going to close. But now there is a more relaxed atmosphere, and the staff seem happier too.

“Before, if parents had to come in for meetings, they had to walk all the way to the other side of campus. Now there is a whole new room for them.”

KAILUM ALDEN, 13, in Year 9, from Westcliff said: “It’s a relief to have something to be proud of.

It’s much bigger now as before we had nothing here.

“It’s nice as now it’s cleaner and more spacious. Some of the hallways have been made safer now too.”

BETHANY DRISCOLL, 14, in Year 10, from Leigh, said: “Before we just had one, big, girl’s toilet and now we have separate ones, which is so much nicer. The toilets used to get quite flooded and were quite dark, but now they are brighter and cleaner. They look a lot more pleasant.”

MEGAN CROSS, 14, in Year 10, from Canvey, said: “The reception looks quite posh now, so it’s nicer for visitors when they come into the school.

“It would have been really sad if we had closed, but it’s good that they are rebuilding.

It’s like a fresh new start.”