Plans to close school's unit for children with autism is slammed

A plan to shut a unit for children with autism at a Denton primary school has been criticised.

The special education needs provision at St John Fisher RC Primary School is run by Tameside Council.

At present, it has just seven children but parents have been angered by the council's decision to axe the unit.

But Tameside Council says a review into provision across The council said a wider review into provision across the borough is currently being conducted and there are plans for more places and investment for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

If the closure is approved, no new pupils will be admitted from the start September, with existing children continuing there until they leave for secondary school.

A joint statement issued by the council and school said that the Tameside authority was "committed to ensuring that as many children as possible have a school place close to home".

It said: "Inclusion is a key focus for Tameside, and we are currently undertaking a wider SEND sufficiency review to identify the number of places needed and the investment required, with a view to securing more school places for pupils with SEND within the borough."

The consultation into the proposed closure ends on February 9.