Bishop joins school campaign

The Right Rev Wallace Benn visited the school on Tuesday and told the Express that the school should remain open.

'It is extremely sad to think of it closing,' he said. 'I only hope the LEA will think again.'

The bishop toured the school with head teacher Gill Ingold, admiring the displays of work and talking to the pupils.

St Anne's has a Gold Award from the Arts Council for its excellence in Art, Drama and Dance. 'I am very impressed by the atmosphere of the school and the ability of the teaching staff,' said Bishop Benn. 'Lots of parents want to send their children here '“ so why can't they?'

The bishop is well informed about special needs teaching '“ his wife is a special needs teacher at St Andrew's in Eastbourne. 'Society is not measured by the wealth it produces but how it cares for the weak and vulnerable and needy. St Anne's does a magnificent job and is a very important place in the whole scheme of things,' said the bishop.

The Schools Organisation Committee meets next Wednesday to decide the future of St Anne's School. The county council wants to close the school, arguing that fewer children are being referred there, and mainstream schools have improved provision for children with moderate learning difficulties.

St Anne's supporters believe the LEA deliberately prevents children from attending the school, and that St Anne's provides specialist facilities that can't be replicated elsewhere.

Shirley Korner, chairman of governors at St Anne's, expects a 'very fair and thoughtful consideration' from the committee, which is an independent body, not an arm of the county council. Unless the committee's decision is unanimous, the case will be passed to an adjudicator.

'There are no educational grounds for closing the school,' stated Shirley.

This is not the first time that St Anne's has been threatened with closure. The county council wanted to shut the school in the early 1980s. School supporters marched through the town and St Anne's stayed open. 'It would be a travesty if the school were forced to close now,' says Patricia Bailey, chairman of the Friends of St Anne's.

The bishop obviously agrees. He pauses at St Anne's achievements board and selects a merit slip awarded for 'clear thinking'.

'Could someone please send this to County Hall?' he asks wryly.