WE are devastated at the thought of the primary section at Crosshill Special School in Blackburn being closed (LET, January 9).

My son, Ryan, has been at the school since he was five and I am proud of the way the whole school is run and am pleased that my son, who is now 13, is happy, confident and has self-esteem.

If the proposals were to go ahead and had Ryan not attended Crosshill at primary level that would not be the case.

I am a parent governor and over the last years of being involved in the school I have seen this very special school grow, with a passion in my heart for all the children and staff.

This family-orientated school has an ethos second to none.

Its mission statement is to "be the best that you can be." And the children can and are.

I go to the school leavers' assembly every year and I see about eight young people smartly dressed, proud to be at the front of the hall as the other children, ranging from five onwards, look on and see that they all have a placement in college or a job to go to.

There is so much love at Crosshill. Mr Maddison runs a youth club in his own time every Wednesday. There was such a big response that the children had to be put into two groups to go alternate weeks. My son, Ryan, attends, proudly taking a change of clothes with him to put on straight after school. He could not attend a normal youth club. Other children would skit him.

Lots of my friends are shocked at the thought that this school, which received a brilliant Ofsted report, should change.

One of the inspectors told me that if he had children with learning difficulties he would like them to go to Crosshill.

At first, I didn't want Ryan to go to a special school. I didn't even want to look round the place when I went to Crosshill because of the stigma of "special schools." But it's great.

I know that if there was not a moderate learning difficulties primary school, Ryan would most surely not be the confident young person he is - thanks to Crosshill.

If the council's plans go ahead, all children with learning difficulties would be on one campus or struggling in mainstream schools and other parents share my concerns.

JEAN NICHOLSON (Mrs), Maple Street, Great Harwood.

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