Education for children with special needs in York is about to undergo its biggest shake up in more than 20 years. Education reporter Rosemary Curtis speaks to the two head teachers who will be leading the changes.

The new buzz word in education is inclusion - teaching mainstream educated children alongside special needs children.

It is the idea of inclusion that has prompted the changes which will see Yorks four special schools close next year and be replaced by two new schools.

The newly-built Hob Moor Oak Primary School, in Acomb, will be headed by the recently appointed head teacher of Lidgett Grove School, Sue Williams.

Applefields School, which will be built on the site of Galtres School, in Burnholme, will be headed by former Galtres head George Gilmoor. George said changes in special needs education were vital because of falling numbers at Fulford Cross School and the lack of facilities for children with severe problems at secondary level.

Building Applefields School will tackle some of these problems.

George said: "We will have much newer facilities, much bigger classrooms, a new hydrotherapy pool and special resources for children with complex needs.

"We will have the ability to have a very broad and dynamic curriculum and we will also develop special support for children with complex autism."

The new Hob Moor Oaks School will see the creation of an education village, which will have better facilities and see more inclusion taking place.

Sue believes inclusion will help both pupils in the mainstream and those in special education along with adults.

She said: "The children benefit straight away by having a greater understanding that some children are different but despite that are still valuable. Not only will children benefit from it but adults do as well. They begin to see children as children and do not just see their difficulties first.

"I think it is important because I think there should be a continuing provision so all children have equal opportunities."

George agreed. He said: "It brings children together so that we are helping children to understand there are others who have needs that are different to themselves. For some children it will develop into a more fluid arrangement."

Hob Moor Oak is being built under the new PFI scheme and Applefields will be paid for through government cash.

In the short term children at the four schools will see little change apart from the school names changing. The real changes will begin in 2005 when the new schools are opened and the children will be moved to the new school sites.

George said: "It is a very exciting time. You rarely get the opportunity to physically design a school and work on a staff structure." Sue added: "It is exciting and challenging and an opportunity you get once in a lifetime.

"It also gives me the opportunity to develop a school from its inception, which is every head teacher's dream."

Updated: 09:08 Wednesday, November 12, 2003