OUR latest look back at the Advertiser's archives has thrown up this story from January 2010 - thankfully this didn't come to fruition...

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THE future of Helensburgh’s Parklands Special School is under threat.

Parents of the pupils who attend the school in Charlotte Street have been warned that Argyll and Bute Council is considering closing the school and transferring all its pupils to mainstream education.

The move has provoked an angry response for the parents, one of whom described the proposal as “disgusting”, and local MSP Jackie Baillie has tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament in support of the school.

Parent Ian Ward, whose wife Julie is chairman of the school’s parent council, contacted the MSP and told her: “We have had assurances from Robert Grant (Head of Service, Secondary Education and Pupil Support) that the best interests of the child will be foremost in the decision making process, but then again, we are not fools and as such should not be treated as ones.

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“It is absolutely disgusting to think that people who have no first hand knowledge of our children’s capabilities and understanding are planning a ‘carte blanche’ move to mainstream, without even thinking about what this would do to the child’s education and specific needs.

“I am positive they think it will be a case of putting in a few hoists and that should take care of it.

“This attitude to people affected by disability is typical and discriminatory and will not be tolerated.

“Councillors can bang on about equality and fairness when it suits but put into the real world the disabled will always be treated with less respect and regard.

“We need the continued support of councillors and we need to allow our children to continue to flourish, not squash them under the weight of mainstream schooling, where, in all probability, they will become lost.

“As a parent of a child with a severe disability who I know and accept will never progress to her full potential in mainstream school this sickens me to know that a decision is in the process of being made without anyone even coming to Parklands school to see for themselves what our children can do and their limitations.”

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And Jackie Baillie said: “It would be a complete travesty if Argyll and Bute Council decided to close Parklands School and I would urge them to recognise the value and quality of the educational provision and help this facility provides which is of such importance to the parents of children with profound and complex needs.”