PUPILS, staff and governors at a Bolton special school have launched a campaign to save sixth form classes from closure.

In 1981, Woodside Senior School - which educates youngsters with moderate learning difficulties - had just ONE pupil in its sixth form.

This year the number has risen to 39, but education chiefs are considering scrapping sixth form provision.

Head teacher Tony Johns said: "We have shown from the attendance figures just what a success we are.

"Yet the authority is considering a proposal which would mean our pupils going into mainstream colleges where many will surely flounder and fail.

"At this school we have expert teachers who have been instrumental in boosting these pupils' confidence and self belief.

"No-one is looking at Turton High or any other school and threatening to close its sixth form. All we want to know is why Woodside?"

The school's campaign was prompted by a report to councillors in April. They were asked to find savings of £180,000 in the current financial year in the massively overspent special needs budget and one area highlighted was the funding of Woodside School.

Cameron Chisholm, special needs service manager, said: "Woodside Special School is unusual in Greater Manchester area in that it is a school for youngsters with moderate learning difficulties and the majority of pupils at this age move into colleges.

"There has also been a significant increase in the number of pupils in the sixth form.

"At this point, we are only looking at a number of issues and want to discuss this proposal in detail with the governing body and the staff."

The growth in pupil numbers is regarded by Mr Johns and his staff as a testament to the school's success and a strong reason why it should be allowed to continue to cater for pupils aged 16 to 19.

The school's success has already been reported in the BEN and the national press.

Last October, pupils who set up their own company, MD Sculptures, to make and sell garden ornaments, reported an early year on profit of £500. The company continues to go from strength to strength.

The school believes it is the staff's expertise at working closely with pupils, to guide and encourage them through GNVQ and City and Guild qualifications, that makes Woodside a popular choice.

Lisa Fairhurst, 18, from Radcliffe is studying for a GNVQ in Health and Social Care in the hope of embarking on a career in care.

Lisa and fellow pupils have appealed in letters to the BEN and to education bosses for the chance to continue at Woodside.

The letter says: "We get more qualifications because we can't do our GCSEs and it (the school) will help us get a job when we leave."

Mr Johns said: "To get rid of the sixth form at this school would be a crime. I simply do not understand why children who are already disadvantaged should be further discriminated against."

Mr Chisholm said: "Nothing has been decided yet. There are still detailed discussions."

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