Essex County Council is expected to announce a decision on the shake-up of secondary schools on Canvey by the end of January.

The first stage of a public consultation into the future of secondary schools on the island ended last week.

Parents, pupils, staff and governing bodies of the three secondary schools been asked to comment on plans to close Furtherwick Park School and build a first-class vocational centre.

This will either be on the Castle View site, which will move on the Furtherwick Park site, or on the Furtherwick Park site, which will mean Cornelius Vermuyden will expand to take more pupils.

Stephen Castle, cabinet member for education, will now consider all responses and a report will be prepared for the cabinet meeting on Monday, January 23, where a decision will be proposed.

He said: "This is a decision which will impact not only on current pupils and staff, but also on future generations living on Canvey.

"I would like to thank everyone who has given their views on the two options. This is a great opportunity for Canvey and it is important for as many people as possible have their say."

It is expected the cabinet's decision will then be published, prompting a further six-week consultation period where members of the public will be able to comment on the proposals.

The school organisation committee, made up of education professionals and representatives from across the county, will then consider all the evidence and take a vote.

If there is not a unanimous decision, the matter will be referred to the schools adjudicator for final determination.

Campaigner Jan Payne, whose son Daniel, 11, goes to Furtherwick Park, believes the school should remain open and has proposed a third alternative.

This involves closing Castle View School and a new centre being built on the site with Furtherwick Park remaining open.

Mrs Payne said: "The campaign has been absolutely great and we have got a good response from people up in the town.

"The school is a part of Canvey and it is a good school where standards are excellent.

"It is an issue which affects all of Canvey because getting on and off the island is a nightmare and if Furtherwick closes then it will create more traffic problems by Castle View or by Cornelius Vermuyden."