LEVELS of funding for changes to south Worcestershire's special schools will be reviewed again - after campaigners warned the "Dickensian" proposals would impact on pupils' education.

They complained that the county council's plans had not been properly budgeted and reforms to schools would cost far more than predicted.

Councillors agreed to consult with "key stakeholders" over the changes and make a formal decision on how much they would cost, and their timetable, in February.

The council estimated that it would spend a total of £775,000 on Thornton House, in Wyld's Lane, and £1.5m on Rose Hill School, in Windermere Drive, to turn them into generic special schools.

"You promised us as good, if not better education than they already have - if you vote these plans through you have let everyone down hugely," Mary Dhonau, leader of the Thornton House Parents' Action Group, told yesterday's cabinet meeting.

Condemning

"The proposals are positively Dickensian and not fit for children in the 21st Century. You will be condemning special education in Worcester back to the dark ages."

The chairman of governors at Thornton House, Stephen Jackson, speaking on behalf of all four Worcester special schools, said it would be "foolhardy" to proceed without knowing the detailed costs.

"As we've not yet had a clear vision for the future presented to us, we can't be confident excellence of provision can be guaranteed," he added.

Coun Peter Pinfield, supporting the delay until February, said he was "very uneasy" over not having the support of parents and governors.

Cabinet member responsible for education, Coun June Longmuir, pledged that July's decision to carry out the reforms would not be reversed.