NEARLY 6000 people have signed an on-line petition calling for St Nicholas School in Chippenham to be saved from closure.

Wiltshire Council wants to build two schools for children and young people with special educational needs and disability in Wiltshire – at Rowdeford near Devizes and Exeter House, Salisbury. But St Nicholas School, for children aged four to 19, with a range of complex needs including profound and multiple learning difficulties and autistic spectrum disorders, as well as Rowdeford School and Larkrise in Trowbridge, will close when the new school opens - which is expected to be in September 2023.

Parents and supporters of St Nicholas School were devastated by the announcement last week - but have quickly mobilised a campaign of protest. They are urging people to write to their MP, lobby local councillors, and join a protest outside County Hall in Trowbridge on Tuesday November 27, when the proposals will be taken to Cabinet.

Parent Melissa Loveday has also set up a petition on Change.org and is asking supporters to sign it and spread the word on social media.

She said: "Rather naively, many of us were led to believe that the three schools would remain open, and at worst, St Nicholas school would be moved near the Abbeyfield School site within Chippenham.

"We stand in solidarity with Larkrise and Rowdeford schools in demanding that all three schools remain open, and are updated, so that children can be taught in their own communities with links to the local schools, shops, parks and churches in their own towns."

On the petition, Sarah Davies commented: "We have worked hard to develop great links with the community to promote inclusion, independence, acceptance and understanding and now that is in danger of being taken away which saddens me deeply!"

To view the petition, visit change.org/p/save-st-nicholas-special-needs-school.