Protestors gather to save special needs school in Oakham
The protest outside Rutland County Library was met with noisy support from passing motorists
More than 100 people gathered to show their support to save a special needs school in Oakham from being closed.
Rutland County Council are considering closing The Parks School, because it is 'no longer viable' to keep it open.
The protest on Saturday outside Rutland County Library in Oakham was met with noisy support from passing motorists.
The Parks School teaches children up to seven years of age in a specialist setting.
It has been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
The school currently only has two pupils, something protesters say is because the Council are discouraging people from enrolling.
Antonia Garnett-Wright, a mother of three special needs children, speaking on behalf of the protestors said: “We’re here to stop the closure of this much needed early years special education facility, rated by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’.
“Since the announcement of possible closure was made we’ve had more than 2,700 signatures on the petition, and we’ve been handing out flyers explaining that we as parents need this facility for our children, and that there is no alternative in Rutland.
“As you can see, it’s been a fantastic turnout today despite the cold weather, and we’ve heard from passers-by and people honking their horns in their cars just how much they support what we are doing.
“Councillors from Oakham Town Council, including the mayor, are here supporting us, and it really is on Rutland County Council to re-think their proposal because our community clearly doesn’t want The Parks School to close.”
Rutland County Council, which is responsible for state schools in the county, announced a review of their special educational needs (SEN) provision in October.
The proposal says: “The local authority has no alternative but to propose that The Parks is no longer viable, and therefore should close as a special nursery school with effect from August 31, 2024.”
The Parks School has provision for up to eight children, but according to Dawn Godfrey, strategic director for children’s services, only two are currently enrolled.
However, Mary Darlington, who used to run a number of SEN nurseries said; “The only reason that there are two children at the school at the moment is because the council are actively blocking parents from enrolling their children there.
“If the council would open up the application process fully, the people of Rutland could fill The Parks School, and there would be no viability issues to concern them.
“I just hope that this public consultation is not simply a ‘tick box’ exercise for the council, and that they have already made up their minds to close it, and ignore the passion and feeling in the community to keep it open and running.”
The public consultation period, launched on November 1, runs until December 3, and anybody wishing to comment on the proposal should contact the council via email at: parksproposal@rutland.gov.uk.