THE fate of a school for children with moderate learning difficulties is due to be decided today.

County councillors were due to vote on the proposal to close Cliffey House Special School in The Rhydd, Hanley Castle.

If the proposal by Julien Kramer, director of Education Services, is passed, present and future pupils will be sent to learning centres at south Worcestershire high schools, or other special schools, depending on needs.

Among the schools approached to host the learning centres for 10 to 20 pupils are Christopher Whitehead High School, Nunnery Wood High School, Elgar High School, Worcester, and the Chase High School and Dyson Perrins High School, in Malvern.

During the consultation process some parents raised concerns about autistic children being bullied in mainstream schools.

"The bullying of any child is unacceptable, but these youngsters will have a high level of support and supervision," said Ruth Chiva, the council's head of services to schools in the report, due to be considered today.

"The closure of Cliffey House Special School and the provision for pupils with moderate learning difficulties within the various high schools would be consistent with the county council's commitment to greater social and educational inclusion."

Cliffey House Special School will close on Tuesday, August 31, 2004, if Worcestershire County Council's Cabinet passes the motion.