Stephen Cox, the Head of Oakham C of E Primary and The Parks Schools has spoken out about the future of The Parks School as it faces closure despite outcry from distressed parents and carers.

Stephen Cox posted:

Good afternoon,

We are sure many of you will have seen social media posts and other information concerning The Parks School over the last two days. As you know, inclusion and supporting some of our most vulnerable local children and families is at the heart of what we do.

We completely agree with and share the ambition that all local schools, nurseries, early years' settings and schools should be able to meet the needs of all local children/families. However, they need the support, expertise, capacity and funding to be able to do this.

We have been genuinely heartened by the amazing comments we have received on and seen on social media raising the profile and highlighting the fantastic work The Parks School, as an Outstanding provision, has delivered over time and continues to do currently. The staff in particular have received numerous excellent comments and rightly so.

See text transcribed in body of article (image courtesy of Stephen Cox).

Stephen Cox concluded:

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Please let us assure you that the School and Governors are passionate about this provision continuing and are grateful for your support.

This comes as local parents have rallied in support of the school, sharing their stories and upset that the school faces closure despite being the only state funded specialist setting in Rutland.

Meanwhile, Rutland Council have shared their stance, adding: "Working with the Rutland Schools' Forum, Rutland County Council is reviewing how children with special educational needs (SEN) can best be supported in an Early Years environment. This is being done with a view to maximising resources across Rutland's Early Years sector, so that settings like nurseries and childminders have everything they need to help children with special educational needs and disabilities to thrive. 

 "When Rutland County Council's Cabinet meets in November, it will be asked to endorse an engagement programme with the county's Early Years sector and parents, asking how we can further develop support for very young children with emerging needs, as well as their families. This will be a long process and is not specific to The Parks Special School. It will involve the whole of Rutland's Early Years sector.

 "This lengthy engagement process will lead to proposals around future Early Years SEN provision in Rutland. However, nothing has been decided yet. Any proposals that could result in a change to local services would require formal consultation with parents and families."

SEND Rutland and local parents have set up a petition to prevent the closure of the school that has already surpassed 1,300 signatures.

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