VICTORY! The beloved Deanes School has finally been saved after Government officers ruled against Essex County Council’s plans to shut it down.

The future of the school in Daws Heath Road Thundersley is now finally secure after inspectors from the Office of School Adjudicator decreed it should remain open in an announcement yesterday.

Overjoyed head teacher Jan Atkinson made the announcement to a packed school assembly at around 12pm shouting “we won!” to more than 600 cheering students, tearful teachers and staff.

The news means the end to a gruelling nine-month campaign to spare it from the axe, which has seen numerous protests and public meetings as well as objections from around 7,000 parents and pupils as well as Castle Point, Basildon and Southend Councils.

FOUR PAGE NEWS SPECIAL WITH ANALYSIS AND REACTION IN TOMORROW'S ECHO