DESPITE a chilly breeze parents and campaigners to retain the Wiltshire’s special schools held a well attended Picnic in the Park in Chippenham on Saturday to draw attention to the proposed changes.

Clare Carter organised the event in John Coles Park. She said: “It was to help raise awareness of our campaign within the Chippenham community. I chose John Coles as St Nicholas School use it a lot for various things that they do or people like the Lions club arrange for us.

“Classes have come down in the summer to do physio or sensory walks all year round. It’s an important and well attended park by our children.”

MP Michelle Donelan attended the event and said: “I am very concerned about the proposed closure of St Nicholas School and Larkrise. Chippenham is growing, meaning there is now more need than ever for a special school based in our town. The closures will mean much longer journey times for children which will put such an unbearable strain on the children and their families.

“All our children deserve to have the best start in life with good educations and we must ensure that this includes excellent facilities. I do appreciate that currently St Nicholas School does not have the space to expand to cater for the increase in demand but the answer is therefore to move the school to a new premise in Chippenham - not to close it.."

The picnic organisers had good news on Monday when the plans to close the three special schools and build a new ‘super school’ have been put on hold.