The headteacher and a governor of a special needs' school have described a radical shake up of Southend's education system as a gamble - but a great opportunity.
Lancaster School in Westcliff faces the biggest risk of all the borough's five special schools affected by the proposals, governor Alan Dennis claimed last night.
He faced questions from concerned parents over plans to put special needs' children into mainstream schools. The council also wants to build four new specialised centres in mainstream schools, costing £1.4million.
Headteacher Audrey Farrow said: "This is a gamble but also an opportunity."
Mr Dennis gave the plans a "guarded welcome". He said: "We could say 'no thanks', we are okay - our school is safe for the next seven years. Our kids will be fine up to the age of 19 - but then where will they go?"
Published Thursday, June 26, 2003
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