An education chief has refused to rule out future closures of some schools following a shake up of special needs education.
Under a £4million scheme to bring more special needs' children into mainstream schools, learning centres are to be set up within four Southend schools.
Darlinghurst Primary School in Pavilion Drive, Leigh is the first to be announced as a site for one of the centres.
A further primary school and two secondary schools will follow.
They will address the needs of special needs children whose parents wish them to attend mainstream schools rather than one of the borough's five dedicated special schools, which will become specialised centres of excellence.
However, if many parents take up the mainstream option it could lead to fewer children in the specialist schools and possible closure.
Sally Carr, executive councillor for education and Conservative councillor for Thorpe Ward said: "We are not predicting any closures, But you can never say never. Under the scheme people over 19 will be able to stay on at the special schools so this will take up extra places."
Published Tuesday, June 10, 2003
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