A Westcliff school may lose its planned special needs centre because of a damning Ofsted report that forced it on special measures.

Southend Council had originally chosen Prittlewell Technology College to be one of just four mainstream schools to provide facilities for pupils with special needs wanting a normal education.

But council members changed their minds after inspectors said standards at the school were "well below average".

Now they are in talks with Belfairs High School to install the teaching facilities there instead.

Sally Carr, executive councillor for education and lifelong learning, said: "With Prittlewell College going on special measures, we did not feel it was appropriate to go through with having the learning resource base there."

Temporary Prittlewell headteacher Denise Allen, brought in to haul the school up to acceptable standards, said she could not comment because she had just taken over responsibility.

Published Friday September 3, 2004

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