A special school in York which is set to close in three years' time today received a top award from Government.

Fulford Cross School, which caters for children with moderate learning difficulties, has been granted beacon status, a recognition of excellence which requires schools to share their expertise with neighbouring schools.

Nearby Fulford School, where headteacher Keith Hayton retires at the end of this term after 22 years, also received the award, as well as Headlands Primary School in Haxby

Other beacon schools in the region included Childhaven Nursery School and Northstead Community Primary School in Scarborough, and Hook Primary School in Goole.

Brayton High School in Selby received specialist school status in technology and Harrogate Grammar School becomes a specialist languages college.

Fulford Cross is set to close in 2004 under a reorganisation of special educational needs education in York, which has been prompted by the Government's desire to see more children taught in mainstream schools nationwide.

Today's award is the latest of many accolades for the school, which has been praised by Ofsted and seen an award-winning teacher on its staff.

Joan Lock, headteacher, said: "I am proud of this nationally recognised team of staff and its continuing achievements. In helping more teachers deal with learning problems and low attainment, we will be reaching more children in the local area and helping schools prepare for inclusion."

Parent and governor Debbie Sawyer, whose daughter, Hannah, attends the school, said: "It's probably one of the best schools of its kind in the area, if not the country. It gets awards, right, left and centre and they're still going to close it.

"We want things to be put in place so we know what's going to happen to the children and to their teachers as well."

The proposals for reorganisation which were revealed by the City of York Council last year, would see Fulford Cross close in 2004 and Northfield in 2005, with two new schools built to replace Lidgett Grove and Galtres Schools in the longer term.

More definite plans are due to come before the council's executive within the next month, following a year-long consultation.

Murray Rose, acting assistant education director, said: "We're absolutely delighted for all the schools in the city that have got beacon awards."

Regarding the special needs reorganisation, he said: "The broad principles that have been consulted on have been supported, but the mechanics of publishing notices to close schools and to guarantee that suitable alternative provision is available is a process that still requires some time. A report will go to the executive shortly to seek councillors' approval for the first steps in that process."

Updated: 09:14 Thursday, June 21, 2001