EDUCATION chiefs are to discuss ways children with special educational needs can settle into mainstream school ahead of a planned shake-up next year.

The Education Scrutiny Board will meet on Monday to look at ways to continue to development of "inclusion" in schools.

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

A new secondary special school will open on the site of Galtres School and, through the PFI scheme, a primary special school will be established on the site of Hob Moor Primary School.

The changes will mean that some children with less severe special education needs will go into mainstream schools.

Although there are already children with special needs in some mainstream schools, more are expected to join them after the closures. In a report to the board, the senior advisor for special educational needs, John Lupton, highlighted the measures that would be needed to be taken.

In the report he says: "Inclusion...underpins each child's right to a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum as far as is practicably possible, within their neighbourhood school.

"It recognises that some pupils' needs are so extreme and complex that specialist provisions may be required in settings other than their local school."

The report also outlines how diverse needs of children need to be catered for to allow them to reach their full potential.

Measures already taken include having Advanced Skills Teachers working together to share more inclusive practices, and the establishment of expert co-ordinators.

School governors have been given a training package and other materials are planned.

Other plans include publishing a newsletter to spread information, the development of a website to give those in education access to local and national information and the development of a forum where views can be exchanged.

A regional charter mark for inclusion is set to be established to give local and regional recognition to those authorities meeting standards.

The report will be considered at a council meeting taking place at the Guildhall on Monday at 6pm.

Updated: 09:07 Wednesday, March 26, 2003