Rutland County Council has confirmed that an independent expert is being brought in to support its public consultation on The Parks Special Nursery School. 

In October 2022, it was revealed the the future of Parks Special Nursery was under threat and was facing closure, despite outcry from distressed local parents and carers.

Parents 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.

A protest took place in support of Rutland's specialist school over the weekend. Image credit: Nub News.

A consultation on the future of The Parks Special Nursery provision in Oakham has been underway since Wednesday 1 November and is due to close at midnight on Sunday 3 December. Comments can be submitted by emailing: [email protected]

Responding to feedback received from members of the public following the consultation launch, the Council has enlisted independent parent participation consultant, Maureen Morris, to support the process.

As well as being a parent-carer, Maureen Morris is an associate of the charity Contact for families with disabled children and will review all comments received during the consultation period, to provide added assurance. 

Rutland County Council has also published the answers to some of the common questions that have been submitted as part of The Parks consultation. This information can be found on the Council's website.

Councillor Tim Smith, Cabinet Member for Children and Families at Rutland County Council, said: "It's important for us to address the concerns that were raised by people who attended our public meeting about the future of the Parks Special Nursery School, as well as questions that have been submitted as part of the consultation so far – we want to be as open and transparent as possible.

"Those who attended the meeting made it very clear that they would welcome the added assurance of having an independent expert involved in the consultation process, specifically when it comes to reviewing the responses and feedback we receive. I'm pleased we've been able to do this."

Rutland County Council is conducting The Parks Special Nursery School consultation in line with strict legal requirements set by the Department for Education. Anyone without internet access can take part in the consultation by calling: 01572 722 577. Paper copies of the proposals are also available to collect from the Council's offices in Oakham or from Oakham Library.

Thrive not Survive was the message from young people in support of The Parks School. Image credit: Nub News.

Following the launch of the ongoing consultation about the future of The Parks School, Rutland's only state specialist school, Rutland County Council released a statement dubbing the school not 'viable', despite welcoming feedback about the provision until 3 December 2023.

As such, parents, guardians, teachers and supporters across the county have spoken out against the closure of the school. 

Read more about this protest, and the uncertain future of The Parks School here.