THE THREAT of closure has been lifted from the Chalet special school.

But parents have been warned that it is not an option for the school to remain unchanged.

Swindon's Education Partnership Board yesterday voted unanimously to drop the closure threat.

But parents left the meeting mystified as to why it had been raised in the first place.

Keith Roberts, 40, whose son Adam, nine, attends the school, accused members of playing games.

"It's like a game of chess," he claimed. "They included the closure option so they could later lift it to make themselves look good."

A consultation exercise will now be launched based on three proposals.

They are:

It becomes a special resource centre attached to a mainstream school.

It is redeveloped as a child development centre, where staff from health, social services and education would assess children with learning difficulties. All three departments would pool budgets.

It continues as a special school.

It was Geoff Hogg, assistant director of services to pupils, who suggested the closure option be lifted.

He said: "I think it would be highly unlikely, and I do not want to waste everybody's time.

"It would be better and more productive just to look at the other three."

Martin Davies, who chaired the meeting, said that changes were essential if the school was to continue.

Only 25 of the school's 42 places are currently filled, meaning it has become too expensive to run.

Swindon Council's education department says that the average yearly cost per pupil is £18,000 the highest in the borough.

Mr Davies said: "Doing nothing is not an option. If it is to continue as a special school, we cannot just have 25 children there.

"The consultation will allow people to comment on the three options.

"But we will welcome any rational, constructive variations on the theme which could lead to a worthwhile future for the school."

Parents had vowed to fight to save the school from closure.

The committee will discuss the findings of the consultation in October.

The school moved from a cramped building near the Magic Roundabout to Liden Primary School at a cost of £1.3m two years ago. It caters for children with complex learning difficulties, such as autism, and offers facilities such as a soft play area and relaxation room.

Tamash Lal