The debate over special schools has raged over the last few months, causing parents and politicians to air their views.

Only two weeks ago, Worcester MP Mike Foster claimed Worcester County Council's re-organisation of special schools was in "confusion".

The Labour MP said plans to close Manor Park, Rose Hill and Thornton House schools in Worcester - and re-open two of them - was at odds with national Conservative Party policy.

He wrote to cabinet member for education, June Longmuir, asking her to clarify Conservative policy in his Worcestershire constituency.

This week, she sets the record straight in an open letter to Mr Foster.

"In your letter of October 12 you demanded to know my views on Conservative policy over special schools and how it related to the actions of the county council in Worcester and the southern part of the county.

"The special needs review started three years ago when Government thinking was adamant that most children, as part of their inclusion policy, would go into mainstream schools.

"With such pressure put on us, I took the view that replacement for Cliffey House - designated as a school for moderate learning difficulties for secondary children - would be soon obsolete and the £2m plus better spent to provide support units within mainstream schools in the catchment area. This has happened.

"During these three years, attitudes in Whitehall have softened and a new acceptance of the role of special schools is becoming evident.

"Personally - having been a governor of a special school for more than 15 years and recognising the dedication and skill of those who work with them - I need no convincing of their value and achievement and have defended them as essential to our vulnerable young people.

"Central policy will always affect local government through the legislative process but its interpretation must be set against local needs and that is what, as a cabinet, we are doing.

"However, these are the points we have to bear in mind.

n The legislation on inclusion demands that all parents who wish it have the right to send their children to mainstream schools. Many do and we have a duty to provide for them.

n Falling roles in the county mean a reduction of about 20 per cent of school-aged children over the next few years. Special schools are similarly affected.

n The nature of special needs changes over time, for example, less children with Downes Syndrome and more with Autism. We must not plan for a static population or static needs but build in flexibility for the next 20 to 30 years.

n The aim of all education is to support young people into adult life with the ability to live independently. I believe real inclusion is the goal not the journey to get there.

n Size and scale significantly determine the long-term future of individual schools, based on financial viability to retain quality staff and facilities to achieve a successful outcome.

"To allow for all these factors, to give size and scale, to support a falling roles situation and to assure a future for special needs provision, in the city we have advocated rolling three schools into two.

"The final version is based on a positive paper presented during the consultation period by the present three headteachers.

"Thornton House retains its assessment unit and remains with no major changes but big enough to retain flexibility.

"Rose Hill is on a campus which has an exciting range of developments including a health centre, a new first school and the Fairfield Community Centre, with all the opportunities for an inclusive range of programmes hopefully to include youth provision for young people with disabilities with able colleagues outside school hours.

"We are also extending residential (respite) provision in Evesham to give further scope to the special needs service in the catchment area of this Review.

"The answers to your questions are not simply addressed as 'yes' and 'no', nor about bricks and mortar.

"It is much more complex than that.

"It's about real leadership for vulnerable children, in this county, to have the confidence in their future and in the county council's determination to secure it.

What do you think? Whether you are a parent, teacher, or someone with special needs, tell us your views by writing to: Your Say, Worcester Evening News, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX or e-mail: wenletters@midlands.newsquest. co.uk