A SPECIAL needs school earmarked for closure is celebrating its last Christmas.

A Christmas play was performed by Cliffey House School pupils on Wednesday and will be its final production, as the school is scheduled to close in July.

The production, Christmas in the Sun, was staged by 18 pupils from Year 8 and 9 and follows a Malvern family who travel abroad for Christmas, only to find they would prefer to be back in their home town.

It was written and directed by music teacher Zita McConnel and the music was written by John Frith, from Music Plus, and the Cliffey House brass band.

Headteacher Anne Starr said that although she felt sad that it was the school's last Christmas, she thought the closure was a positive step.

The school's 88 pupils will be transferred to secondary schools such as The Chase and Dyson Perrins, along with some members of staff who will give learning support. Mrs Starr said it would be good for the children to integrate with pupils in mainstream education.

She said: "I think it will be beneficial for them to be in their communities. Often pupils don't have friends outside of school, so they are quite segregated really. This will get them more involved."

The closure is part of a new policy drawn up by Worcester-shire County Council to make education for children with special educational needs more inclusive.