CHILDREN at a school threatened with closure have written personal pleas to the Secretary of State for Education to save their "big family".
The heartrending messages from 56 children aged 11-14 at The Durham Free School talk about how they are cared for, supported in lessons and have made lasting friendships.
The students wrote their letters to Nicky Morgan as part of a topic on persuasive writing after asking acting headteacher Julian Eisner if they could support the campaign to keep the school open.
Mr Eisner said: "Some children pleaded with me to do it so those who wanted to were given the opportunity. The letters from the children have been an outlet for them to have a voice. They, like parents and staff, are utterly bewildered by what's happening.
"We hope the letters will be taken into account as decisions are made but they do not form the main part of our representations as a school to the Secretary of State."
Pupil Jessica Goodwin, 12, of Gilesgate, said: "If the school really does close I will be heartbroken. I really don't want to go anywhere else. I hope my letter will work and Nicky Morgan will read it and understand our feelings and keep the school open."
In her handwritten note, Sophie Dinning, 12, of Bowburn, said: "I have many memories from this school and I'm not ready to let go of them.
"I strongly disagree with the decision. There is not a pupil in this school who is homophobic or racist. All of us are making progress; in fact our levels have reached a point where we are all amazed at how we are doing."
Chelsea Peat, 11, of Kelloe, said: "I wrote a quote to her saying 'don't judge a book by its cover' when you haven't seen it with your own eyes. She hasn't talked to any of us.
"I'm happy all the time here. I've changed in my attitude towards learning, I've settled down and become comfortable here. I've made bonds with teachers that I didn't make at primary school; they all know my name and I'm scared they won't know me at another school."
Ben Hall, 11, of Brandon, said: "I feel safe and cared for in this school. I get encouragement and I have help and support in lessons. I hope she does listen and I hope she keeps the school open because we are like one big family. If that family broke up it would be really upsetting."
Luke Douglas, 11, of Framwellgate Moor, said: "In my letter I've listed everything that's in the Ofsted report and said it's categorically untrue. She is overlooking us, and that makes us all feel very insignificant. She thinks she can just squeeze 94 children into other schools."
Meanwhile, support for the school is coming in from across the country as online and hard copy petitions grow to more than 3,500 signatures.
In a letter to a parent governor, and enclosing £25 for school equipment, a woman from Saltash, in Cornwall, wrote: "I pray that both schools, Durham Free and Grindon, will remain open; that the local education committee and the people of Durham as a whole will value your schools' work to prepare children for life and to use their God given gifts."