SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND PARENTAL CHOICE

Early day motion 2383, tabled 16 June 2006 by Ann Winterton (Conservative). Signed by 103 members.

That this House pays tribute to the work of RESCARE, the society for children and adults with learning disabilities and their families, and the charity's campaign to support parental choice of special day and residential schools and objecting to their closure; notes that successive Governments have upheld the parental right to choose what they regard as best able to serve the educational interests of their children, including mainstream, special day and residential schools; recognises that special schools in the maintained, non-maintained and independent sectors form an important part of the comprehensive education system; acknowledges that special schools provide excellent standards of education and care, thereby maximising the potential of children with complex learning disabilities and autism; expresses deep concern that many local authorities are denying choice to parents whose sons and daughters have special educational needs by refusing referrals and placing other obstacles in the way of entry into special schools, and by closing special schools by stealth on the pretext of rationalisation; and calls on the Government to reaffirm the principle of choice in education for parents whose children have special educational needs and to take effective steps to stop the unwarranted closure of special day and residential schools by local authorities, which is contrary to the stated policy of the Government.

Signatures by party: Conservative 53, Labour 23, Liberal Democrat 19, DUP 5, Independent 1, Respect 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.