A COMMUNITY was in shock today after bosses announced plans to close an historic children's school.

Officials at Crowthorn School, Broadhead Road, Edgworth, have started consultations with staff, parents and children about the possibility of relocating.

The move comes amid fears that children may not be able to integrate into the community after their schooling -- due to the building's remote location.

The school, which employs more than 100 staff and dates back to the late 19th century, caters for 47 children aged between 10 and 16 who have been referred there by education authorities from across the country and who have a range of moderate learning difficulties or challenging behaviour.

A spokesman for the National Children's Home (NCH), which runs the fee-paying school, said: "NCH is considering making a recommendation to the Department for Education and Employment that Crowthorn School should close.

"The charity is currently engaged in a period of consultation with local authorities, children and their families after which a decision will be made as to the future of the school.

"We feel the school is in the wrong place for this group of children. We are a long way from any town and the children need to be near local services. The location is just not suitable any more. The government now has a new policy that children should remain within their own environment and that makes it difficult for us to provide a fully-inclusive service so the children are able to join the community. "We are wanting to work round the children's needs because they are the centre of our thinking and we are looking towards the future and what we can provide for them. We are looking at each child and seeing what their needs are.

"The impact of this will be great for a number of people and we are very conscious of that. We must start planning early and get cracking straight away.

"We would like to reassure everyone concerned -- staff, pupils, parents and local supporters -- that we are committed to supporting them throughout this difficult time." The NCH said the consultation would go on as long as necessary but it would be setting up meetings with the education authority and families as soon as possible.

It also said the children would not necessarily be split up should the school move but it would depend on each child's needs.

Staff at the school said it was too early to comment on the situation.

Local councillor Jean Rigby said: "It's come as quite shock to everyone because it employs such a lot of people. It is a very sad state of affairs when it's been going so long.

"It's come as a huge bombshell to the staff who have worked really hard and historically it's a real shame because the school's been round for more than a century."