PARENTS at a threatened special school believe their views are being ignored by education chiefs.

They have been to a series of meetings with education bosses to discuss the Council's plans to move Green Hall Primary School's 76 pupils into mainstream schools.

The meetings are part of the Council's informal consultation period with parents before May's final decision on the future of the Atherton school.

But parents claim they have been left frustrated by the lack of answers from education bosses -- and fear that their school will close.

Karen Jones, whose 8-year-old son Sean is a pupil, said: "I went to the public meeting at Leigh Town Hall last Tuesday and I felt that the views of the parents and staff were being ignored by the panel. We were asking questions but we weren't getting any answers.

"I have nothing against mainstream schools but I would like to have the choice of where I send my child. Since Sean has been at Green Hall, he has come on so much, the staff have been wonderful. If the school closed we would have to move to another area to find Sean a suitable school."

Another parent, Jane Fearick, whose 6-year-old daughter Bethany also attends Green Hall, said: "I was at the meetings last week and I just wanted to get some definite answers from them, but I got none.

"If they close Green Hall then I would be forced to teach Bethany at home. She has been to a mainstream school and struggled, but at Green Hall she has improved one hundred per cent. She has a lot more confidence, the teachers have more patience and trained to meet her needs and the class sizes are smaller."

Janette Gilbourne, Wigan's Assistant Director of Education and Head of Special Needs Education, said: "People are asking questions but we haven't got definite answers because it's an informal consultation period and nothing has been decided. It's crucial that parents are given the opportunity to give us their views on the proposals.

"We have arranged a series of meetings with staff, management and the governors, and their views have been recorded and will form a report that will go back to the Council. Parents can also give us their views through the written consultation document."

The school, which caters for pupils aged between four and 11 with moderate learning difficulties, received a glowing Ofsted report in January. The school has already won a School's Curriculum Award and the Investors in People standard.

The parents have also set up a website in their campaign to keep the school open. It is www.saveourspecialschools.co.uk.