PARENTS have been reassured education chiefs will try to keep their children in Wyre Forest as Alexander Patterson Special School moves a step nearer to closing.

Worcestershire County Council will ask members of its cabinet for the go-ahead to start a consultation on the future of the Wolverley school, which caters for youngsters with moderate learning difficulties and is suffering from plummeting pupil numbers.

Parents fear this will mean one of the options - closure next August - will become reality, leaving their children with lengthy trips across the county for alternative schooling.

However, county council director of educational services Julien Kramer said: "Whatever happens, we have said that we will endeavour to make appropriate provision for pupils within Wyre Forest."

Despite this, staff were stunned at the announcement, which was made public at a meeting arranged for parents last week.

In a statement they praised "parents, families and friends of the children" for "the strength of their support for the school" at the meeting.

"Parents and friends spoke with emotion, anger and dismay at the decision which will affect their special children.

"We, the staff, feel very sad and shocked at this decision, and await news from the LEA as to how and where they plan for the special needs of this group of children from Wyre Forest to be met.

"In the meantime we will work with the support of our parents and friends to provide the best education for our children."

Eleven teachers and 10 teaching assistants face redundancy following a fall in pupils from 90 four years ago to 51 this year - a decline that is expected to continue.

Government policy encourages the integration of special needs pupils into mainstream education - but Mr Kramer denied parents' claims pupils are not being referred to the school, saying this year 12 youngsters have had Alexander Patterson written into their statement of special educational needs.

Former parent and school governor Kate Lane said parents wanted the school to stay open, but if it did close alternative provision should be made in Wyre Forest.

The cabinet meets next month. Mr Kramer added: "The consultation document will look at every option available to the school, which would include possible closure.

"The alternative, with roll numbers falling as acutely as they are, is to continue running the school, not only at great cost but also with insufficient numbers to effectively teach the curriculum."