ANXIOUS parents are beginning to find out where their children will go after a Wolverley special school shuts its doors for good next month.

Fears the 30-plus pupils at Alexander Patterson School will not be catered for by other schools will be put to the test as education chiefs at Worcestershire County Council make public their plans.

Headteacher, Marilyn Calvert, was due to be told the recommended placements yesterday and pledged to let parents know straight away.

Mrs Calvert said she had also told parents how to appeal if they are unhappy with the recommendations, which are certain to include putting pupils in two other Wyre Forest special schools, Stourminster and Blakebrook.

She said: "There is a tremendous amount of anxiety at the school. The timing of these things is classic - we will know one day before half-term."

Unpopular placements would be the latest body blow for parents, staff and governors after the shock news that Nick Russell, headteacher at Blakebrook, was now handling the closure, she added.

Mr Russell is on secondment from Blakebrook, and Mrs Calvert said she saw his appointment as the council having "washed their hands of us".

She said: "The reaction of my governors was absolute shock that a lead officer (at the county council) is not taking any interest or responsibility."

A county council spokesman said Mr Russell was ideal for the job, adding he had "a great deal of relevant experience and insight, having been the head of Blakebrook, and he also comes from Wyre Forest, which gives him empathy with local needs".