A QUESTION mark was today hanging over the future of an East Lancashire after-school club which tutors more than 170 pupils after parents received letters saying it was to close.

The Kumon Blackburn Maths Club, which is believed to be the biggest of its kind outside London, and which teaches youngsters aged three to 15 in Japanese maths techniques, is to shut next Tuesday, February 29, according to Kumon Educational UK.

But local franchise holder and Kumon instructor at the club Pauline Vaughan today insisted that the future of the Feilden Street club has not yet been decided.

Mrs Vaughan, who set up the Blackburn centre in May, 1993, and also runs a similar club in Rochdale, said: "I have been engaged in discussions with Kumon about the future of the study centre for some time.

"The letter that has gone out to parents is totally inaccurate and has definitely been sent without my permission. My legal advisers are currently in discussions about the letter and a conclusion is expected by the end of the week.

"Whether the centre continues under the Kumon banner or whether I run it independently has not yet been decided and I hope to make a proper announcement next week."

But Geoff Holmes, of Kumon Educational UK, said the centre would close on Tuesday.

He went on: "Both the Blackburn and Rochdale Kumon maths study centres will cease to exist on February 29.

"The centre began because Mrs Vaughan applied, was taken on and trained by us and she holds a licence to run a Kumon centre which is like a business contract. "Following discussions we are now terminating that contract. We have come to an agreement with Mrs Vaughan that she should cease running the centres but I cannot say any more about that.

"It is a private matter between Kumon and Mrs Vaughan."

Parents with children who attend the £38-a-month centre have been informed that pupils will continue their studies by correspondence with Kumon's Manchester office until a new centre can be established in Blackburn in April and the company has agreed to waive the fee for March as a goodwill gesture.

Mr Holmes added: "This is a situation that many businesses face from time to time but the important thing is to make sure the pupils are not affected. It is regrettable but we are making sure provisions are made so that pupil's studies are maintained."

Mrs Vaughan, who runs the fourth largest configuration of Kumon pupils in the country, went on: "I can assure all parents that my commitment to them is such that I will continue to instruct their children in maths even under an independent banner.

"In the meantime I would welcome any enquiries and parents are welcome to get in touch."

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