(UK) Wigan: 'There is a need for more special education school places'

Mar 23, 2018, (UK) Wigan Observer: Plans to close all Wigan special schools met with backlash https://www.wigantoday.net/news/plans-to-close-all-wigan-special-schools-met-with-backlash-1-9079387 Education chiefs in Wigan have been criticised for launching a consultation with options that include closing all the borough’s special schools. The controversial suggestion is contained in a survey asking parents for their views on ways council chiefs can increase the number of places available for children in the borough with special educational needs. One option presented in the consultation is to shut all of Wigan’s six special schools and move pupils to mainstream schools.... Other options are to build extra facilities at existing schools or to leave the existing system as it is. … Some children are quite capable of being in mainstream education but for others it would be profoundly disruptive. … The consultation document states there is a need for more special education school places. It states the council is aware the consultation may “cause parents, children and staff some anxieties”. … “We currently do not have enough places in the borough and need to expand and we want to ensure that we have considered your views on how we do this before we make some proposals.” …