Consultation takes place on special needs schools

Derbyshire county council is to undertake a consultation over the future of two special needs schools under its jurisdiction.

Alfreton Park Community Special School and Swanwick School and Sports College are both set to have their educational role reviewed, reports the Derby Telegraph.

The newspaper says the government believes Alfreton can host 105 pupils but that the local council wishes this to be cut to 90.

Alfreton would offer facilities to children with severe and complex learning difficulties.

Sandwick could also continue to teach children with both moderate and severe difficulties.

Presently both schools cater for most types of special needs but allowing more specialisation could create up to 28 new places, according to the report.

Earlier this year, the Times claimed that there were no central figures held on children with diagnosed behavioural problems.

But the National Autistic Society believes around one in 100 children have some form of autism.

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