COUNCILLOR June Longmuir is clearly suffering from a severe case of double standards and ought to be ashamed of herself.

She is quoted as saying (Evening News, Monday October 18) that "we might end up with a disturbed generation of pupils" if the rebuild takes place on the site of Christopher Whitehead school.

But she is happy to endorse massive building works at Thornton House school with all the children in place.

If the much-welcomed, joint head teacher's and governor's 12-point plan goes ahead, Thornton House will need 11 new class rooms, modifications to the existing class rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, a nurses' room, major redevelopment to the school play areas, bigger staff rooms and car parks.

The nursery will also need a new classroom and major modifications to make it accessible for wheelchairs.

Many of the children at Thornton House School have already lived through more than a year of building work, while the school was changed into a single phase school. Children with special needs, especially those who suffer from autism, are far more vulnerable to noise, upheaval and change than their mainstream counterparts.

Miss Longmuir has not once expressed concern for their well being and the "blight to their education".

I hope she will now search her conscience and stop discriminating against children with disabilities.

MARY DHONAU,

Thornton House Parents Action Group.