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http://hamhighbroadway.london24.net...sbroadway&itemid=WeED13 Apr 2006 16:42:37:230
SUPPORTERS of a Muswell Hill school for deaf children are fighting to prevent its closure.
Haringey council bosses have told governors at Blanche Nevile in Tetherdown that the 80-place specialist school should shut.
In a letter to governors the council criticises standards and proposes that deaf pupils aged between three and 19 be placed in mainstream schools.
Judy Downey, Blanche Nevile chairwoman of governors, said: "It is clear the council has made up its mind. The council seems to have asked for a review and prejudged it.
"The school has audiologists, speech therapists and specialised teachers.
"It is not simply an educational service but a service for their needs and mental health, providing a peer group for deaf children. "There is nothing else in
north London that provides this service."
Pupils at Blanche Nevile already take some mainstream lessons at Highgate and Fortismere schools.
But core lessons such as English and maths are taken separately with specialist teachers and all pupils take classes in sign language and deaf culture.
The school's purpose built premises were opened by HRH the Princess Royal in November 2005.
But it has faced difficulties with five different headteachers in as many years and parents claiming it has been starved of investment.
Stephen Bentley, whose 16-year-old daughter Charlotte attends the school, said: "It has been run down by the council. They have not supported a new headteacher so it has fallen into problems without leadership.
"My daughter loves the fact she has friends that understand what it is like being deaf which is especially important in teenage years."
In a letter to school governors Sharon Shoesmith, director of Haringey children's services, said: "The financial position of the school is insecure: you will know from the figures we have presented at the meetings that the pupil numbers are simply not there to maintain the school into the future."
She adds: "The preferred proposal may be to include the provision as part of Highgate primary and Fortismere schools leading to the closure of Blanche Nevile."
Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone has written to council bosses demanding the school stays open.
She said: "Haringey Council should be working to save an exemplary school like Blanche Nevile, not seeking to destroy it.
"It is disgraceful to make savings by sacrificing the education of deaf children in order to save themselves money."
A spokesman for Haringey Council said: "We are now close to making a proposal for the future which will be subject to consultation."
SUPPORTERS of a Muswell Hill school for deaf children are fighting to prevent its closure.
Haringey council bosses have told governors at Blanche Nevile in Tetherdown that the 80-place specialist school should shut.
In a letter to governors the council criticises standards and proposes that deaf pupils aged between three and 19 be placed in mainstream schools.
Judy Downey, Blanche Nevile chairwoman of governors, said: "It is clear the council has made up its mind. The council seems to have asked for a review and prejudged it.
"The school has audiologists, speech therapists and specialised teachers.
"It is not simply an educational service but a service for their needs and mental health, providing a peer group for deaf children. "There is nothing else in
north London that provides this service."
Pupils at Blanche Nevile already take some mainstream lessons at Highgate and Fortismere schools.
But core lessons such as English and maths are taken separately with specialist teachers and all pupils take classes in sign language and deaf culture.
The school's purpose built premises were opened by HRH the Princess Royal in November 2005.
But it has faced difficulties with five different headteachers in as many years and parents claiming it has been starved of investment.
Stephen Bentley, whose 16-year-old daughter Charlotte attends the school, said: "It has been run down by the council. They have not supported a new headteacher so it has fallen into problems without leadership.
"My daughter loves the fact she has friends that understand what it is like being deaf which is especially important in teenage years."
In a letter to school governors Sharon Shoesmith, director of Haringey children's services, said: "The financial position of the school is insecure: you will know from the figures we have presented at the meetings that the pupil numbers are simply not there to maintain the school into the future."
She adds: "The preferred proposal may be to include the provision as part of Highgate primary and Fortismere schools leading to the closure of Blanche Nevile."
Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone has written to council bosses demanding the school stays open.
She said: "Haringey Council should be working to save an exemplary school like Blanche Nevile, not seeking to destroy it.
"It is disgraceful to make savings by sacrificing the education of deaf children in order to save themselves money."
A spokesman for Haringey Council said: "We are now close to making a proposal for the future which will be subject to consultation."