AS THE controversial proposals to shake up special schools in Blackburn and Darwen are now set to be decided, one question that the review has left unclear is why such sweeping change is deemed necessary at all.

For the upshot of this plan will have real impact on the lives of the children affected, since it will push many into mainstream education for the first time and will also bring together into one school previously separated mentally and physically handicapped children.

In the case of the closure of the primary department at Crosshill School, there is not just the anomaly of special provision being removed for younger children with moderate learning difficulties while it is regarded as remaining necessary for those of secondary-school age.

There is also the risk, as parents fear, that these children stand to be bullied or ridiculed by pupils of the ordinary schools to which they will be sent.

As for the merging on one site of the neighbouring Blackamoor and Dame Evelyn Fox schools, though little structural change may take place a considerable and possibly disadvantageous transformation may stem from the bringing together of mentally and physically handicapped children whose needs and learning abilities are frequently quite different.

Councillors being asked to approve this step next week should seek evidence of where else this has been tried, for how long and of how well or otherwise it has worked before they plunge the special children of this area into it.

But in all of this, there seems to be a process that jeopardises what are both cherished and well-regarded schools for a combination of specious reasons.

There is the notion of over-provision and the need to cut costs - yet "outside" education authorities have long "bought" the expertise of these schools for their children.

There is a government-led thrust to put special needs into mainstream education supposedly for the pupils' benefit - though applying this in blanket form overrides the need for individual assessment and provision.

And, perhaps, there is a touch of the "new broom" influence from the town's newly-independent education authority driving reform for its own sake.

But it is imperative that councillors ask whether some or all of it is necessary before they blindly follow. They must also ask whether contrary opinions have been allowed the same force as the other pressures by the officials driving this through.

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