FOLLOWING the well attended public meeting at Rigby Hall School on the proposed closure of the school, I do not accept the LEA's assumption that parents want their children to be educated in mainstream schools, nor do I believe mainstream schools will either welcome of could properly educate increased numbers of pupils with Special Educational Needs.

Perhaps there should be a few facts and figures brought to light. After six years of decline, Charles Clarke, Secretary of Sate for Education, has finally announced his plans for change in Special Educational Needs. However, for many children it is too little too late.

Since Labour came to power in 1997, the number of children with statements of special needs has gone up by seven per cent. In response to this, the Government has closed 79 special schools and reduced the number of pupils taught in special schools by five per cent.

In the end, what is happening to education? It is the political pawn with the assumption that the Government from the centre can control every area and every school? You cannot politically prove that education is better simply by changing the system every five minutes.

The Government always said "the needs of the children should be the centre of the education system" or is this yet another U-turn?

We want local needs developed for local people not centralised control.

Councillor Caroline Spencer,

St Godwald's Crescent

Aston Fields

Bromsgrove