AN independent adjudicator will be called in to decide the fate of Swindon's specialist dyslexia units.

Swindon Council intends to shut ten special units at Swindon schools as part of broad changes in the way it deals with children with learning difficulties.

Children deemed to need extra help have, up to this year, been invited to enrol at Mountford Manor, Penhill, Toothill, Moredon, Pinehurst Infants, Pinehurst Junior, Goddard Park, Ruskin Junior and the Oaktree Nursery and Primary schools.

Wroughton Junior also has a specialist unit for dyslexic youngsters from across the borough.

The units mean pupils can receive tailored learning programmes in a mainstream school.

Swindon Council bosses have decided to close the units down and spread the cash equally among all primary schools in the borough.

The National Union Of Teachers backs the move and, according to the council, so do 80 per cent of schools.

Earlier this week at a meeting of the School Organisation Committee, approval to close all units, bar the one at Wroughton, was granted.

Elspeth Wollen who helped to form the unit Wroughton Junior School in 1991 and now works in a secondary school, said the closure of Wroughton would be a tremendous loss.

She welcomed the news that an independent adjudicator will have to be called in to make the decision but warned it was only a minor victory.

She said: "It is vital that children are given the correct teaching in a well-equipped setting and I am not sure they would get that.

"If the money is divided up, each primary school would receive £1,000.

"This would pay for six weeks of specialist teaching. "

Past Ofsted inspections have singled out the unit for praise.

One report in the summer of 1996 said: "Pupils make exceptionally good rapid progress and are positive about their learning."

But Coun Chris Shepherd (Lib Dem, Freshbrook and Grange Park), who was present at the meeting, insists closure is the best option.

He said: "It's the best thing for the children. The money will be far better spent by giving it to headteachers and allowing them to decide how to use it.

"At the moment, the units are being underused.

"If they find that there is insufficient funds they can come back to the education department and seek extra assistance."

Kevin Shoesmith