A NEW name has been given to a former York school as part of the reorganisation of special schools in the city.

Galtres School, Burnholme, which will close next year, will be reopened in September 2004, as Applefields.

The decision to rename the school, which will become the city's only secondary special school, was made by the shadow governing body of the school.

All four of the city's special educational needs schools will close in 2004 and will be replaced by two new ones.

As well as Applefields, a new primary school will be built under the PFI scheme at Hob Moor School. The two schools will be for children with the most severe learning disabilities.

There are presently a number of children with special educational needs at mainstream schools, but following the closures it is expected that more children with special educational needs will move to mainstream schools.

The name for the new secondary school was chosen because governors believed children would be able to identify with the name and it would be easy to sign for children with communication difficulties.

The chairman of governors, Jim Porteous, said: "We considered a wide range of possible names, ranging from those derived from the existing secondary schools to those with a local and historical flavour, and numerous suggestions from parents, children and staff. Applefields was a popular choice as not only did the school, on which Galtres is currently sited, used to be an orchard, but its distinctive and refreshing name should ensure it quickly attains its own unique identity in the community."

Patrick Scott, director of education with City of York Council, said: "The next 18 months will be an exciting time as the plans for the state-of-the-art special schools come to fruition, and at Applefields we are determined that children with special educational needs will be able to attain the highest possible level of achievement."

Updated: 08:43 Monday, March 31, 2003