PUPILS are being used as guinea pigs in moves to transform special needs education in Chester, an angry parent claims.

The controversy has been sparked by the launch of a pilot initiative to introduce Inclusion Resource Centres (IRCs) at the city's secondary schools.

The move comes after education chiefs decided not to replace acclaimed specialist unit the Newgate Centre when its parent school Kingsway High closes next July.

Tim and Julie Bolam, whose autistic son Martyn, 12, has flourished at the centre since September 2004, fear for the future.

They worry the IRCs - which aim to further integrate special needs pupils in mainstream classes - may not work for the most vulnerable children.

Mr Bolam, a father of six boys from Vicars Cross Road, Vicars Cross, said Cheshire County Council's decisions first to close and then not replace the Newgate Centre were a mistake.

The Bolams have selected Bishops High School and Queens Park High School as choices for next September, but Mr Bolam said: 'It's appalling they're experimenting with our children and expect us to trust them.

'There is nowhere with experience of complex autistic cases within the mainstream school for us to look at.

'Martyn needs 100% support at all times and is 'statemented' to have one-to-one care.

'There's no way he could cope with spending most of his time in mainstream classes.

'Those for whom inclusion does not work are being left high and dry.'

Mr Bolam fears bullying will be more likely in mainstream classes.

County council member for education, Cllr David Rowlands, said: 'There will always be some children for whom this is not the best solution but it will still be possible for schools to care for them outside of mainstream classes.

'The problem with making changes is that you inevitably bring in systems with no track record, so I can understand the concerns.

'If we do a worse job than the Newgate Centre we will not have done it effectively but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.'

Cllr Rowlands said Cheshire had tended to statement more children than comparable authorities, at a cost of between £7,500 and £9,000 per pupil.

He said that in some cases he believed that money could be better spent on their education. rob.devey@cheshirenews.co.uk

Special needs go mainstream

CHESTER'S new IRCs are being developed within seven secondary schools.

And if they prove a success they will be rolled out across Cheshire from next September. Schools will be given the freedom and cash to develop the centres, which will build upon existing provision.

They will cater for children with medical conditions, learning difficulties, challenging behaviour and those whose first language is not English.

The county's blueprint suggests use of two classrooms but the emphasis will be on pupils spending most of their time in mainstream classes. It says: 'The base is available for short-term, robust, focused interventions; some pupils might need support longer-term.

'It will also be a sanctuary and retreat for some pupils when required.'

Existing Moderate Learning Difficulty (MLD) units at Bishops High School, Catholic High School, Queens Park High School and Bishop Heber High School will be phased out.

Emotional and Behavioural Difficulty (EMD) units at Queens Park High and Bishops High will also disappear.

In addition, the IRCs will incorporate the work of a resource base for visually impaired pupils at Queens Park High and an equivalent for hearing impaired children at Upton High School.

At Catholic High School a new Autistic Spectrum Unit has opened with three pupils and the IRC will grow around this.