Ref. 31138-14 Mum Karen Turner with her son AllenPARENT power has helped save a Swindon special needs school from the axe.

Last night, it was announced that the Swiss Chalet School in Gorse Hill, which caters for children with learning difficulties, would be kept open.

The decision marks the end of a two-year struggle by parents and staff to force Swindon Council into a U-turn.

Since moving to its £1.3 million site in Liden two years ago, the school has faced an uncertain future and civic chiefs deemed the school uneconomic due to having too few pupils.

Parents, spurred on by staff, including Karen Turner, 35, immediately launched their campaign.

Now councillors have even agreed to set up a new special needs assessment centre alongside the school.

Delighted acting headteacher Kathie Bryan thanked all those involved in the campaign.

She said: "This is excellent news for everyone here.

"Life is hard enough for parents who have a child with special needs, without having to worry if they'll have a school to go to."

Karen Turner, 35, has a seven-year-old son, called Allen, at the school.

She feels he has come on leaps and bounds since he enrolled nearly five years ago.

"This is fantastic what a relief," said the mother-of-three.

"It would have been a massive loss to Swindon if the decision was taken tonight to close the school."

Mrs Turner said special praise should go to the staff.

"Allan has autism and when he first came to Chalet School I didn't have a clue about the condition," she said.

"But the staff have so much knowledge and explained everything to me. They are just brilliant and have done so much to help parents like me."

The school, which never marked it's official opening, is now planning celebrations in December.

Councillor Doreen Dart, (Con, Blunsdon), who has been a key ally to the cause, added: "This is precisely what we wanted and I thank the community for all their work."

North Swindon MP Michael Wills was due to visit staff and pupils today.

He said: "The Chalet School provides a vital service for children with special needs and their families.

"I helped secure the funding for the new building and I remain keen to support it."

Kevin Shoesmith