BOSSES at a school trust have reassured parents schools are staying open despite a “notice to dissolve” being issued.

The Hearts Academy Trust, which runs six schools in south Essex, insisted the notice was a “clerical error” after it was filed by Companies House.

The trust only received a warning letter on Friday from Companies House, despite it being dated in February - with bosses fearing Covid postal delays have had an impact.

The two-month old letter told the trust to file a missing document in relation to its finances.

Chief executive officer, Debbie Rogan, explained the notice will be removed from the Government website.

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She said: “We’ve done nothing wrong, there’s nothing wrong our end.

“Postal delays have stopped us seeing anything, that’s what we think has happened.

“When it came through on Friday, we immediately sent it off.

“It was dated February 4, it’s the first we’ve heard of it.

“We don’t understand what’s happened’ The trust runs Briscoe Primary School, Basildon, Hilltop Infant School, Wickford, Hilltop Junior School, Wickford, Stambridge Primary School, Rochford and Waterman Primary School, Rochford, as well as Wickford Church of England school.

A spokesman from the Hearts Academy Trust, added: “Hearts was made aware of this issue on Friday, and it is the result of a clerical error.

“The required information has now been sent to Companies House.

“No contact from companies’ house was received regarding the missing document until last Friday.

“This may be due to postal issues during Covid.”

The notice from Companies House, reads: “The registrar of companies gives notice that, unless cause is shown to the contrary, the company will be struck off the register and dissolved not less than two months from April 13.

“Upon the company’s dissolution, all property and rights vested in, or held in trust for, the company are deemed to be bona vacantia, and will belong to the Crown.”

Companies House told the Echo that it could not comment on individual cases despite the trust’s concern over the issues raised.