PARENTS and pupils held a demonstration yesterday to find out why their special school is earmarked for closure.

Council proposals to close Westlands residential school in Eltham Crescent, Thornaby, along with Bishopsmills and Saltergill special schools, have been criticised by staff and parents.

The proposal is to replace the three schools with a middle school, for eight to 14-year-olds, and an upper school, for 15 and 16-year-olds, with other children integrated into mainstream education by September this year.

Yesterday, parents and children launched a petition against the closure of Westlands school, which has been praised by Ofsted inspectors for its past achievement.

Campaign organiser and parent governor Lesley Lonsdale said: "Westlands is a real success story. Education was a major theme at the last general election. We've gone out and succeeded.

"We've met our targets and jumped through hoops. What's our reward? The threat of closure, that's what. We want to know why."

The school has done so well in the past that Prime Minister Tony Blair and Education Secretary David Blunkett hosted a lunch at Downing Street to celebrate its achievements.

Teachers and parents are concerned about the plans, which group children on their age, rather than their needs.

Mrs Lonsdale said: "We all feel it will be a recipe for disaster. Many of our vulnerable children will not cope with the new population of pupils and the reorganisation will have a damaging effect on the present excellent provision at Westlands.

"The timescale of September 2001 is also ridiculously too short.

"Despite its outstanding achievements, Westlands School has become embroiled in the reorganisation, due to difficulties and falling rolls in the other two schools.

"The education authority should realise we are planning a strategic campaign to preserve the standards of excellence which have been achieved here.

"Don't forget, these children, some of the most needy members of our society, are drawn from a wide area, including Tony Blair's constituency. We fully intend our voice will be heard."

An informal consultation into the proposals has finished and council officials have pledged to listen to opinions before making a final decision