Wiltshire Council set to close special schools

PARENTS of children with special needs have expressed their disappointment and anger that Wiltshire Council looks set to continue with its plans to close three special schools in the local area.

Following a public consultation that ended earlier this month, the council has proposed to close  St Nicholas in Chippenham, Larkrise in Trowbridge and Rowdeford near Devizes, replacing them with one new special school in Rowdeford.  

News of the proposal first came last year, attracting  a barrage of opposition from families whose children attend the special schools and community leaders.  Concern was expressed about the long travelling distances and unfamiliarity and stress the changes would cause to the youngsters who have special needs.

A campaign was launched by parents, and following the threat of legal action, Wiltshire Council agreed to put their plans on hold and reopen the consultation, which ended on 6th May.

However, it looks like Wiltshire Council is intending to press ahead with its original plan, angering parents.

Jane Schrivener from the  ‘Keep Special schools local’ campaign said, “Life for us as parents of special needs children is always a battle to get the best opportunities for our children. We believe their best interests are served in local schools with strong community links and activities. Better not just for their education but also their future, safety and well-being. The council’s plan to shut these schools is simply wrong, the money should be invested in enhancing the schools we already have instead of selling them. We will fight the council over this scheme and are prepared to take every action we can to stop the single school approach.”

Council at its worst

Tony Free from the campaign group said, “This is Wiltshire Council at its worst. Their main motive is to get in money quickly to plug a budget hole. The Government has cut the council’s support grant by nearly 60% over the last 9 years and this proposal is a misjudged reaction to those cuts. Whatever they decide to cut to balance the budget, it must not be special needs children’s facilities. The plan to close three good schools to create a single large school is to the shame of Wiltshire Council. They have a responsibility on our behalf to care for these children, not to disrupt the lives of the children and their families.”

Emily Wadds added, “We have three schools that our children enjoy going to and get great benefit from. The idea of closing the schools and transporting our children to a new single school at Rowde, shows a complete disregard for the feelings of parents. The vast majority of the parents of St Nicholas and Larkrise schools do not support the idea of the new school. I don’t think the council realise the distress and worry that the one school proposal is causing, and we will continue to do all we can to stop it. 

“We have submitted an alternative three-school option to the council which not only keeps a school in Trowbridge, Chippenham and Rowde, but also looks at how we currently support resource bases and children with SEND in mainstream schools. We want to work with the council to create a progressive and robust SEND education system that works for all, that is fit for the 21st Century and is something Wiltshire can be proud of.”

Recommendation

A cabinet meeting to decide whether the schools will close is due to take place on Wednesday this week, 22nd May. The recommendation being put to councillors is that the schools should close. 

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Council said, “After additional weeks of pre-publication consultation and a rigorous assessment process, new proposals will be reviewed at the Wiltshire Council meeting on 22 May.

“The proposals will include: Establish a new maintained special school with a single leadership team for St Nicholas, Rowdeford and Larkrise by 1 September 2021

“Expansion of the Rowdeford site as part of the new special school by September 2023

“Approve closure of St Nicholas, Rowdeford and Larkrise School as separate schools by August 2021 – closure of buildings would happen at an appropriate time after September 2023.

“If agreed, the decision will be to move to a one-school system by 2021, with an executive head overseeing the three schools at Larkrise, St Nicholas and Rowdeford.

“Under the proposals, the new school would remain under local authority control as a maintained school rather than an academy.

“Cabinet will be reviewing a number of other options that have been put forward by respondents to the consultation. Cabinet will be looking at critical issues raised by consultees including quality, medical and health support, travel times, community support and engagement.”

Terence Herbert, executive director for children and education for Wiltshire Council added, “We need to ensure we are providing our children and young people with special needs with the very best education in an environment where they can thrive.

“We know parents are passionate about their children’s future and so are we. We are grateful to everyone who took part in this consultation and helped us to determine the way forward. Should these proposals be agreed, we are committing major investment and we will want to work closely with all parents as we continue to provide a first-class education for all children into the future.”