A REDDITCH school for children with special needs will not be closing as a result of a massive shake-up, it has been announced.

Parents have been assured Pitcheroak School in Cherry Tree Walk, Batchley, will not shut after a review of all special schools in the county.

But plans to integrate more special needs children into mainstream education with extra support are being mooted.

Worcestershire County Councillor Colin Beardwood said: "We've made a decision to review special schools across Worcestershire but we're talking about integrating more children into mainstream education with support.

"During a county council cabinet meeting on Thursday we asked for a further report about the implications of doing so.

"But we are not talking about closing Pitcheroak School."

He added: "Worcestershire is one of few authorities to have such a high proportion of special schools and the overall policy is to integrate as much as possible as long as there is proper support.

"Young people need the opportunity to mix with other children with a range of abilities.

"As a result of the re-organisation, we're looking at the implications of creating new, specially skilled units attached to ordinary schools for those with learning difficulties."