REGARDING Blackburn with Darwen Council's review of special schools, Councillor Bill Taylor (Letters, March 1) says that the parents and teachers were consulted about the situation before it went to the education and training committee on January 12.

Yes, but what good was the meeting with them the night before when it was already sorted out that it was going to the committee? Nothing the parents said would have changed that.

Many of the physically disabled children affected have already faced a lot of problems in their short lives.

They have got to face more than Councillor Taylor or anyone will ever know and still have a lot more to face.

These children are settled at the schools where they are and changing them now will cause them a lot more problems that they need not have.

Just because these children are disabled doesn't mean they haven't a mind of their own. Some might not be able to understand everything, but they have had to learn to understand in their own way and Blackamoor School has been doing great work for 60 years with such children.

I and many other parents feel that if Blackamoor is closed just for the sake of cost-cutting, our children will not be going anywhere else. I know my child would have a lot of problems settling in another school and with different teachers.

Also, how much would a new school for children with complex difficulties cost? Why can't this money be put into Blackamoor and the other special schools?

Many of the parents feel their children would not cope in mainstream schools. And to begin with, none of the mainstream schools has lifts for children who use wheelchairs or walking frames.

How much will all this cost? - and when we have a good school and great teachers at Blackamoor - all of which may go down the drain.

And can Councillor Taylor tell me why if he is so good at replying to the letters in the paper, he can't reply to the letter sent to him?

MRS S STAFFORD, Arran Avenue, Shadsworth, Blackburn.

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