ANXIOUS parents fear their children will be bullied when they are moved to mainstream schools after the closure of Cliffey House School.

Dozens of parents say the move will cause their children's development to take a backwards step and make them easy targets for bullies.

David Bozward's son Robert will be 14 when Worcestershire's plans for inclusive education kick in.

"Most of the pupils from Cliffey House School don't play in the street because they're seen as different," said Mr Bozward.

"We're concerned that that would transfer into the classroom and they'll get picked on.

"If you've got someone you can bully it will happen.

"Most of the kids are aware of what's going on with the school."

Robert is currently in Year 7 at Cliffey House School in Hanley Castle. He transferred from Thornton House School in Worcester's Wyld's Lane last September.

He joined the special school from Ronkswood Junior School.

"The head of the infants had noticed there were some problems with his learning behaviour," said Mr Bozward, whose family live in Westminster Road, Ronkswood.

"The reason he came out of mainstream education was because he couldn't cope and they couldn't cope with his behaviour.

"If he went back into a mainstream school, into classes of 30, then he'd go backwards.

"I'd rather keep him at home than put him through this."

Robert is two years behind in his learning and his parents say he is only just learning to read and write.

"He can't do joined up writing and his spelling is non-existent," said Mr Bozward.

"Since being in special schools, he's stabilised and is doing very well.

"We don't agree with what the council said and we're not the only parents worried about it."

The cabinet at Worcestershire County Council agreed to stop plans to relocate Cliffey House School and instead move its pupils into mainstream schools.

Special units would be set up within schools to help with the special educational needs of the pupils.