Controversial plans to shut a special school were being considered again today.

A full meeting of Bradford Council was today being asked to rubber-stamp a proposal to close Greenfield School in Idle, Bradford, and Heaton Royds in Shipley and replace them with a new school in either Baildon or Idle.

Staff and parents at Heaton Royds were shocked by the proposed closure because they had originally been told their school would be kept open and relocated. The amended plan means staff at both schools will have to reapply for jobs.

John Lambert, chairman of governors at Heaton Royds, today accused Bradford Council of making a decision out of expediency rather than for sound educational reasons.

"For the members of that committee to close a school that's recognised as one of the best in the country is probably one of the most idiotic, stupid and inane decisions that local politicians have ever made," he said. Parent governor Joanne Kitcheman, who has two boys at the school, said: "There will be uproar when everyone gets to hear about it. I just don't think the Council is being fair and there's going to be enormous upset. We are going to fight for as long as we can.

"There's a loving, family atmosphere at the school which is brilliant and both my boys have benefited enormously from being there.''

But Janet Taylor, head teacher at Greenfield, which has 50 pupils, said today it was fairer to all staff for both schools to close.

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