PROPOSALS to close a special needs facility have been met with dismay by parents.

Longleaze Primary School’s specialist learning centre, in Wootton Bassett, is one of six such centres across Wiltshire under threat.

The 12-place unit serves a number of schools in the area, providing specialist help for children with a range of issues from Asperger’s syndrome to autism.

Wiltshire Council wants to redistribute funds from the facilities to give more special educational needs (SEN) provision within mainstream schools, but stressed no decision has yet been made.

However, parents and supporters believe that this could have a negative impact on children.

Representatives from the school, including many children and parents, have already presented a 3,000 signature petition to the council calling for the facility to stay.

A consultation period runs until Monday then a report will be drawn up ahead of a children’s services committee on July 22 with the final decision on July 27.

The unit serves some children full-time while others use it to support mainstream education.

Parents said that if the centre closes, children face either a stressful journey to ‘super centres’ in Chippenham or Melksham or education within the mainstream school without, they fear, the appropriate level of expertise.

They also believe that introducing children with complex needs into mainstream schools could prove disruptive to other pupils.

Jo Allen, 34, of Wootton Bassett, said the service had helped her 10-year-old daughter Lucy, who has autism, learning difficulties and speech and language difficulties, for five years. Although she is taught in mainstream school, Lucy also has access to the centre.

Mrs Allen said: “I can’t imagine how she would deal with a mainstream setting without the support they offer.

“It’s an amazing place, they have got a wealth of experience, it’s just madness to think of closing it – these children need the support they’re getting.”

Coun Lionel Grundy, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for children, said: “We want to hear from as many local people who would be affected by the proposed changes as possible. This is what we want from the consultation – people letting us know their views.”

Stephanie Denovan, Wiltshire Council’s service director for schools and learning, said: “No decisions have been made and any decision on this will be made by cabinet.”

She said places currently available in centres for children with complex needs are only used 54 per cent of the time. The council proposed keeping 180 places which will meet the requirements of the 115 children who could currently access a full-time place and increase the number of full-time places for children with autism, and speech and language needs.

She said: “We would like to see young people with SEN having their needs met at their local school unless they need a specialised placement on a full-time basis.

“By moving resources to where they are most needed we can re-allocate funds to improve support arrangements and resources for other specialist centres and mainstream schools.

“Many of the proposals will not mean significant changes for individual children but where pupils are affected the necessary support and transport will be provided by the council.”