CAMPAIGNERS desperately need to raise £700,000 in less than eight weeks to save a secondary school from closure.

Deenway Montessori School specialises in Islamic teachings and based in a grade II listed building in Sidmouth Street, Reading.

However, landlords of the building have announced plans to sell it, sparking fears the school could be forced to shut down.

Parents and staff need to raise £700,000 to buy the building, or it will be sold to the highest bidder at its market value - sparking 'upheaval'.

To make matters worse, they have until the end of July to fork out the cash.

A JustGiving page has been set up and people have been urged to make donations to help save the school.

Faiza Hamdi, who set up the page, said: "Deenway is the only Islamic Montessori primary school and Islamic ‘liberal arts’ secondary school in the United Kingdom and maybe in the world.

"Our children love their school and its fun, exciting learning environment and the school has been running for the last 10 years achieving so much in the education of their students.

"However the school is at a critical juncture in its life and needs urgent help if it is to survive. The lease building expires in November 2018. The landlords have agreed to sell the building to us but we need to raise £700,000 by the end of July 2018.

"The closure of Deenway Montessori School would be a huge loss to our community and to Islamic education as a whole.

"It will cause a massive upheaval for the pupils and their families as well as the potential loss of a unique institution that has achieved so much and that could be a model for other schools to follow."

More than £4,000 has been raised so far.

To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/deenwayparentsupporters