Parents whose children go to the specialist learning centre at Longleaze Primary School in Wootton Bassett are to face a tough decision in light of new rules about the way the centre runs.

Previously pupils with special needs from schools in and around Wootton Bassett visited Longleaze for specialist sessions.

But now only Longleaze pupils are to be allowed to use the centre while others will have to rely on their own school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO).

The move comes in light of sweeping changes to special needs provision across the county.

The centre in Longleaze, which had been predicted to close, has been given at least three years to run.

But its longer-term future is uncertain as it will be reviewed in 2012.

Headteacher Peter Cousins welcomed the three-year breathing space but said the centre will have to change the way it works.

“We currently support lots of smaller schools whose pupils come in throughout the week,” he said.

“They have proved very successful and allow the children to use our facility but then go back to their own school with their friends.”

He added: “But this leaves parents with a difficult decision.

“Do they cut their links with friends in their community and move their children to Longleaze or go without the help and support they’ve been getting with us? It’s a great shame.”