ANXIOUS parents are demanding a meeting with council leaders in a bid to halt a far-reaching shake-up of Special Educational Needs (SEN), which threatens to close their school.

North Cliffe, in Blackburn Old Road, Great Harwood, is one of three schools ear-marked for possible closure in a proposed reshuffle.

Lancashire County Council is currently reviewing SEN provision and have consulted with parents over the possibility of creating generic schooling.

This would mean White Ash, in Oswaldtwistle and North Cliffe would merge to create a senior school, closing one of the existing sites.

Broadfield, in Oswaldtwistle, would become a primary school for all disabilities, instead of a school for children with moderate learning difficulties, as at present.

A decision is expected to be made on June 5 when council officers present the findings of the consultation process to the Cabinet.

For seven families in Clitheroe whose children attend North Cliffe, the fear that the school will close is unbearable.

Judith Dixon, 50, of Causeway Croft, in Clitheroe, fought for several years to get her eight-year-old daughter, who sufferers from multiple dyspraxia, the care she needs away from mainstream education.

"We have to dig our heels in now before it is too late and they split us off one by one," said Judith, who attended a consultation with Lancashire County Council bosses in April over the plans.

Now, she fears her daughter's education will be disrupted and all the progress made so far will be wasted. She added: "This is all escalating out of control. All three schools are against it as there will be dire consequences.

"People are just too upset to contemplate what will happen. We live in Clitheroe, so even just on the surface a merger would mean an extra two-hour drive for all our children.

"But our children are also statemented to say they have special needs which, by law, gives us a right to choose the best education for them. This merger is taking that right away."

Parents at Broadfield have also campaigned to halt the proposals with the backing of local MP Nigel Evans, who accused the Government of 'penny pinching.'

Now, the parents have written complaints to the council about the plans and have requested a meeting to be held at the school.

Former governor and councillor John Mcgeown, is pushing County Councillor Alan Whittaker to hold a meeting at the school and wants parents past and present to come forward and speak up.

His daughter, Rachael, attended the school from the age of eight to 16. He is concerned that more students will end up in mainstream education as more than 1,000 places will be axed in the change-over.

"What ever happens, we do not want North Cliffe to close. These children of different abilities just cannot mix. The whole notion of generic education is flawed and the council need to look at it head-on.

"It is horrendous and a non-starter, but the decision could come as early as June, so we need to get our voices heard now."

Mr Whittaker said: "Proposals from the review of SEN provision in Lancashire will be presented to the Cabinet on June 5. We will then look at how best to move forward over the next 10 years.

"Changes to the provision of SEN is always a sensitive issue as parents are very protective and can see changes as threatening.

"We appreciate the many comments we have had."