A COMPENSATION fund has been set up for any pupils who were abused at a former school.

More than 60 former students at Oxley Parker School in Mill Road, Colchester - which was open between 1972 and 1998 - claim they suffered physical, emotional or sexual abuse at the hands of staff members.

Now the Eastern Counties Educational Trust which used to own the school has opened a fund to compensate any victims following negotiations with solicitors.

The fund was opened earlier this month and will be available until May 2020.

Law firm Andrew Grove and Co is acting for a number of former pupils who have suffered abuse and believe some, but not all, can be suitably compensated under the scheme.

They are also working to seek compensation through traditional court proceedings for other victims where the compensation fund is not sufficient.

Solicitor Katherine Yates who works for the company which specialises in claims for historical child sexual abuse said she believed there were more victims who had not yet spoken to them.

She said: "Whilst some of the former pupils we act for can be adequately compensated under the scheme, there are others where the amount is simply not enough to atone for the abuse they suffered at Oxley Parker School.

"Be it through the scheme or through litigation, this firm will seek to achieve a reasonable award of compensation for any former pupil of Oxley Parker that suffered abuse whilst a pupil there.

"We believe there are many former pupils of Oxley Parker School who still live in the Essex area who have not come forward yet."

It is alleged abuse took place in the 1980s and 90s at the independent school.

Anyone who suffered abuse at the school and has not come forward is urged to contact Ms Yates on 01223 367133 or email katherine@andrewgroveandco.com.