THE proposals for the reorganisation of Special Schools in Worcester contain a number of different strands.

Disquiet over the proposals was almost immediate but at first seemed to centre on the closure of the Nursery Assessment unit at Thornton House.

Opposition, led by the Thornton House Action Group, has extended to the proposals as a whole. The petition they have organised seems now to seek the continuation of the status quo.

I have no doubt that the reorganisation paper is poorly constructed - the mergers are supposed to happen almost as if by magic. There are no detailed plans or costings and the consultation meetings have not reassured anyone that the proposals have been fully thought through, despite the years spent drawing them up.

However, it is clear that, like it or not, the combination of inclusion policies and parental preference means that the number of children requiring places at the three Special Schools in Worcester are falling and will continue to fall.

Worcester cannot support three Special Schools and their infrastructure costs such as headteachers, deputies and building maintenance.

To do nothing will mean that the schools will face falling rolls and pressure on their budgets. This will lead to cost reductions and inevitably poorer education for our children.

Argue the case for the assessment unit by all means, but please can everyone put their efforts behind encouraging the county councillors and LEA into urgently putting together a decently researched, costed and planned proposal that will improve the life chance of all the Special School students in Worcester.

I fear the politicians will be so frightened of the public opposition the plans have sparked off that they will bury the whole issue. This would be the worst of all scenarios.

ANDREW WATSON,

Governor, Manor Park School,

Worcester.