Council Urged to Rethink Special School Closure Plan

12.00.00pm GMT Tue 5th Jan 2010

Parents and children campaiging to save their school from closure

The Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Spokesperson, Cllr Marc Ramsbottom, has urged the Council to rethink plans to closure a top performing special school. Labour's Town Hall Bosses are driving through plans to close Ewing School in South Manchester, that was rated 'excellent' by OFSTED, despite huge protests from parents and teachers at the school.

Speaking at a recent meeting of the Council Cllr Ramsbottom urged members of the Children and Young Peoples Scrutiny Committee to rethink the plans for closure, because they are not in the best interests of the parents or children.

"The plan to closure Ewing school is flawed and wrong. Many children with special needs such as those at Ewing have tried mainstream schools, and rejected it, because it was not suitable for them or they did not get the necessary resources to support their needs. Closing Ewing School, which is rated as an excellent school by OFSTED, will narrow parents choice and may create huge uncertainty for children", he said.

The Council's top level Executive have already voted to close the school despite last minute pleas from parents at the meeting. Many educational and health professionals have also expressed concerned about the proposed closure and what it will mean for children's education.