STAFF and parents are to be given their say on Blackburn special schools which are set to close within two years.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's education committee has approved plans to merge Dame Evelyn Fox and Blackamoor Schools in the year 2000 and close the primary department at Crosshill School in 2001, subject to a consultation exercise.

High schools in the borough are to have more money spent them to make them more accessible to children with physical disabilities and two primary schools will get resources to accommodate children with moderate learning difficulties.

The move is a response to the falling number of pupils attending special schools, but both staff and parents have accused the council of implementing change for the sake of it and losing teaching expertise in the process.

Several parents attending the council meeting which approved the closures wore T-shirts with the slogan "If it isn't broken don't fix it" - a comment taken from the leader column of this newspaper on May 20.

Education chiefs have said no teaching redundancies are envisaged, although no categoric assurances could be given.

Apart from parents, schools across the borough, governors, health trusts, diocesan representatives, teachers' associations, voluntary agencies and other interested groups will be consulted.

Coun Bill Taylor, chairman of the council's education and training committee, said: "This is an extremely important issue which is reflected by our determination to make the best possible provision for all children in the borough with special educational needs."

Interested organisations will be invited to a special one-day conference as part of the wider consultation process.

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