A HUGE shake-up in the way children with learning difficulties are taught in York is to start this year, as the city's four special needs schools close to make way for two brand new ones. Joan Lock, head teacher of Fulford Cross School, tells LUCY STEPHENS why she is sad to be closing her doors for the last time.

"I am very sad that a highly successful school is closing," says Jean Lock.

"I hope that other schools are built on the example that we have given as to how best children with special needs should be educated."

Mrs Lock, 57, has been at Fulford Cross School since 1980, and was appointed as head teacher in 1990.

Despite battling with dwindling numbers - reduced from 183 in 1980 to 15 today - the school has won significant plaudits over the years, appointing specialist teachers for the first time and in 1999 being named one of the country's most effective special schools by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools.

It was awarded Beacon status in 2001 and was granted two achievement awards in 2001 and 2003.

Mrs Lock is herself an Ofsted inspector, a path she intends to follow after the school closes this year.

Teaching for special needs pupils has vastly improved over the years, and pupils from the school have performed in plays, produced three CDs, performed in local and regional sporting tournaments - producing two all England para-athletes.

"Special Needs education has improved enormously," said Mrs Lock.

"The quality of teachers coming into the work is extremely high."

But there is still room for improvement, she said, citing the need for more accredited qualifications for special needs children to strive for.

"There should be a better quality of accreditation for children with special needs - there are now accredited schemes but they are not national.

"It's not as widespread as I would like to see it."

Current year nine and ten pupils at the school are to finish their education at Fulford School, supported by former staff from Fulford Cross.

Mrs Lock said she wanted to thank the "wonderful" Fulford Cross governors for their support over the years.

"I have had a wonderful life teaching," she added. "I would thoroughly recommend it to any young person that's thinking of taking it up.

"It's rewarding, extremely interesting, never, ever dull."

Updated: 09:09 Wednesday, June 30, 2004