THE closure of Cliffey House Special School is the beginning of a new era for special school education.

County council bosses plan to place pupils with moderate learning difficulties in mainstream Worcester schools, in line with Government policy.

But Ruth Chiva, head of services to schools, has promised there will be "no wholesale closure" of special schools, and parents and staff will be consulted fully.

Yesterday, Worcestershire County Council's cabinet approved plans to close Cliffey House on August 31, 2004.

It will mean 64 children at the Hanley Castle school will be transferred to learning centres at south Worcestershire high schools or other special schools, depending on their needs.

During the meeting yesterday, councillors said the plan had raised fears among parents that their children will be bullied.

Coun Jennette Davy said: "They have had experience of children being bullied because they are the idiot of the class as a matter of course and they dread that," she said.

But Coun June Longmuir, cabinet member in charge of education and lifelong learning, said: "We are not producing ghettos. This is a chance of making the best possible use of what the mainstream has to offer. It will give pupils much more choice and much more opportunity to learn how to get employment."

Coun Tom Wells said Cliffey House was really being closed because the building was not up to scratch.

"In my view we are discussing this because the fabric of the current Cliffey House Special School is not fulfilling its purpose," he said.

"Hanging it on a Government initiative is a red herring. I do not believe mainstreaming children in these circumstances provides better educational outcomes and I fear quite the reverse."

The decision will now be presented to the School Organisation Committee on Monday, April 28.

n Have you got a child with moderate learning difficulties? What do you think of the plans for special schools? Contact The Evening News by calling 01905 742244 or email: wenedit@

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