REDDITCH MP Jacqui Smith has reacted angrily to county council talks about closing a special educational needs school in Batchley.

On reading of the notion to shut Pitcheroak School in a draft report, Ms Smith last week wrote to every county councillor urging them to oppose any such move.

The county has suggested closing the school, which caters for 134 pupils up to the age of 18, as part of a range of alternatives to streamline special education and cut surplus places.

If it did happen, Pitcheroak could be amalgamated with other special schools in September 2008, probably on two sites in Bromsgrove, according to Ms Smith.

She said: "This would cause considerable disruption to the work done in Redditch to support children with special needs in mainstream schools and in providing vital local provision.

"The county wants to promote inclusion for children with learning difficulties in other schools but you need a base of expertise within a town to do that."

Ms Smith added: "Part of the problem is that the county council sees Redditch and Bromsgrove as one place."

Pitcheroak is renowned for its work with autistic children and has formed successful partnerships with mainstream schools, enabling pupils to take up places in them.

But county head of services to schools Ruth Chiva, who drafted the report, said the idea may not be included in a final consultation document going out to parents and other interested parties in the autumn.