PROPOSALS to move a Worcestershire special school to a new site are being sent out to the public to gauge their reaction.

Officials want to move Cliffey House Special School from its isolated 19th Century manor house, near Hanley Castle, to Worcester.

They maintain the building is too old and run-down for a school and want to take up a new county council-owned site on Merrimans Hill.

This would allow Cliffey House to forge links with colleges and schools nearby.

The report highlighted critical OFSTED inspections as a reason to take swift action.

"Successive OFSTED inspections have criticised the accommodation and indicated that the Local Education Authority should address the inadequacies as quickly as possible," said a report, handed to Worcestershire County Council's cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

"It is intended that the new school will continue to develop working partnership arrangements with schools and colleges in south Worcestershire."

The plans, which are now being sent to staff, parents and governors, include changing the age range from 11-19 to 11-16, which would reduce the number of pupils from 132 to 98.

"The relocation is not expected to lead to a reduction in the number of staff currently employed at the school," added the report, written by Colin Weeden, head of education policy at the county council.

If the plans are given the go-ahead, the move to the new building would take place during the academic year 2003/4.

The outcome of the consultation will be presented to the Education and Lifelong Learning Panel on March 14, next year.

It will then be considered by the county council's Executive Committee on April 11.