PARENTS are to be asked for their ideas about relocating a Worcestershire special school.

Staff, governors and other interested parties will also be asked to give their views about the proposals to move Cliffey House Special School.

The school, for children with moderate learning difficulties aged from 11 to 19, is based at Hanley Castle, near Upton-upon-Severn.

But Worcestershire County Council is looking at plans to move it to a new purpose-built site at Merriman's Hill, Worcester.

At a meeting of Worcestershire County Council's Education/Lifelong Learning Panel, members heard that the school needed to be moved for the benefit of pupils.

"The current school is isolated and the buildings are in a relatively poor state and not suitable for the effective delivery of the National Curriculum," said Colin Weeden, head of education policy.

"The location in Worcester will enable closer working to be developed with both mainstream schools and colleges."

The panel heard that the school would also be reduced in size from 132 places to 98, with the age group also being reduced to teaching 11 to 16-year-olds.

But Councillor Tom Wareing, speaking on behalf of Councillor Mary Drinkwater, said there were reservations about the proposals.

"She feels that the change in age should be looked at very carefully," he said.

"The children who attend Cliffey House regard it as an alma mater and have a strong affinity to the school. They build up relations with the staff and these ought to be maintained.

"The school has provided an anchor in the lives of these people and I'm concerned that this is not removed."

The panel agreed that these issues should be put to public consultation and that the consultation document addressed the main issues.

Copies of the consultation are being sent to interested parties.

If the school were to move it would take place during the academic year 2003 to 2004.

The council's executive committee will consider the results of the consultation in April.