FURIOUS parents have hit out at Worcestershire's Director of Education Julien Kramer after claims he treated questions about their children's future flippantly.

Around 150 parents, teachers and health care professionals attended last week's crunch meeting with council officers about special educational needs reforms in Worcestershire.

The audience was given a boost at the beginning of the evening when Mr Kramer, who was not expected to attend, arrived at Thornton House School.

However, an hour-and-a-half later, they left the Wyld's Lane school fuming after a string of jokes from Mr Kramer about rugby, Wales and who should answer certain questions.

He even told campaigner Mary Dhonau, at the meeting, that some years ago he may have been the reason why her heart was beating so fast.

"I was pleased that Julien Kramer attended because I expected him to give answers to our questions and concerns," said Carol Johnson, a member of the special school's Parent Action Group.

"But, along with others, I was appalled by the light-hearted manner and flippancy with which the issues were treated and felt that the evening had been managed so that few questions were directly answered."

Another anxious parent, Christine Powell, hoped to have her say in a serious debate over the radical proposals for SEN provision.

However, she too was left stunned by the director of education's attitude.

"Julien Kramer set out the evening as a light-hearted affair, joking and seemingly not treating our children's future as a serious issue," said Mrs Powell, of Pinkett Street, Northwick.

Mike Dhonau, another parent at the meeting on Tuesday, March 16, added: "His nonchalant approach and frequent attempts at banal humour were inappropriate.

"When he made the comment 'this is a light-hearted evening', he lost all credibility."

Mr Kramer said that he felt the consultation had been a success and claimed they misinterpreted the county council's commitment to the debate.

"We spent quite a lot of time talking through some very difficult issues in a well-organised way," he said.

"It was very helpful that the chairman of governors chaired the meeting and gave it direction and I was certainly trying to be constructive.

"I think this review is the most serious and difficult we've done and the public meeting - and those with the governors and staff earlier - was very positive."

A final decision on the proposed reforms will be taken in July.