PARENTS are urging councillors to attend the final consultation meeting to discuss the future of a Wirral special needs school.

The twelve-week consultation on the closure of the Lyndale School, in Eastham, closes on June 25 and parents of its pupils are calling on the borough’s elected representatives to show their face at the final meeting, which takes place in Bromborough.

Parent governor Chrissie Woodland told the Globe she hopes councillors would turn up.

She said: “We only have one meeting left and we’re urging councillors to come and listen to what we have to say.

“They didn’t turn up to the invited visited at the school, so the least they can do is turn up to this.”

The comments come weeks after just seven of Wirral’s 66 councillors attended an open day aimed at showing them how vital Lyndale is to its children.

Governors at the school invited members to attend the school and meet its pupils in a last ditch attempt to save what has become a lifeline for families of some of the borough’s most vulnerable children.

Two separate open days – on May 8 and May 15 – were organised, with emails sent to each councillor asking them to attend.

But only seven turned up, with many failing to respond at all.

At the time, Ms Woodland added: “They could at least make the effort to make it look like they care.”

Fellow parent governor Zoe Anderson, whose daughter Lily attends Lyndale, said: “It’s a massively important issue for us and we are firmly of the belief that all of the councillors should want to come and see the school because it’s a massive issue.

“We invited all of the councillors and a lot of them didn’t even give us the courtesy of a reply – it’s just bad manners.”

The seven councillors that attended the open days were Liberal Democrat Cllr Tom Harney – who is also chair of governors at the school – Wirral’s cabinet member for education, Cllr Tony Smith, Lib Dem leader Phil Gilchrist, Moreton West and Saughall Massie Conservative Cllr Steve Williams, Conservative leader Jeff Green, Labour and council leader Phil Davies and Conservative Cllr Leah Fraser.

It is understood that Wirral’s Labour group is currently in the process of organising a visit to each of Wirral’s special needs schools, although Lyndale parents feel this will not give them enough time to fully appreciate the importance of their facility.

The consultation to close Lyndale comes after Wirral Council announced it was “minded” to close the school, citing a drop in pupil numbers and changes to funding for special needs children as the reason.

Speaking to the Globe when the consultation was launched, Julia Hassall, Wirral’s director of children’s services said: “Making sure that the children at the Lyndale School continue to receive high quality education, care and long term stability, is the centre of our concern.

“The option for closure is being considered because the viability of the school is compromised by its small size and falling roll, which both contribute to a difficult and potentially worsening financial position.

“The consultation will be open and transparent.”

The final consultation meeting takes place at Professional Excellence Centre, Acre Lane, Bromborough from 5.30pm on Monday, June 16.

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The consultation will close on Wednesday, June 25.

You can view and take part in the consultation by clicking here.

Feedback can be sent by post to The Lyndale School Consultation, Children and Young People’s Department, Hamilton Building, Conway Street, Birkenhead, CH41 1FD, or by email to specialreview@wirral.gov.uk

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When do the consultation meetings take place?

Wirral Globe:

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What has happened since the closure threat was first announced in December?

December 12: Wirral Council announced it was “minded” to close the school.
December 16: A petition to save the school reaches 3,000 signatures (it now has 6,443).
December 20: Parents ask the council for more time before a report is submitted to cabinet.
January 16: Wirral’s ruling cabinet agrees to consult on the closure of Lyndale.
January 21: Tory lead describes closing Lyndale as an "act of educational vandalism".
January 29: Opposition councillors “call-in” the decision and ask for it to be reviewed.
February 4:  Call-in meeting cancelled after bureaucratic bungling means council is in breach of its own constitution.
February 11: Education Secretary Michael Gove pledges his support for the school.
February 14: Wirral South MP Alison McGovern chairs a public meeting over Lyndale’s future.
February 27: Co-ordinating committee uphold cabinet’s decision in rearranged call-in meeting.
April 2: Wirral Council launches 12-week consultation.
April 4: Lyndale parents brand closure consultation 'misleading'.
May 16: Lyndale parents' dismay at Wirral's stay-away councillors.