Parents and teachers at a school in Dagenham who campaigned against its closure and amalgamation with a church school have won a victory after the local council announced that the school will remain open as a community school.

Barking and Dagenham Council has agreed to the controversial amalgamation of a community school in Dagenham with a neighbouring Church of England voluntary aided Junior School.

Teachers at a community school threatened with amalgamation with a religious school are to stage a one day strike in protest over the plans.

The National Secular Society has challenged a London council over its failure to consult properly about proposals to close a community school in order to amalgamate it with a Church school.