Penhurst School in Chipping Norton to close (From Cotswold Journal)

Penhurst School in Chipping Norton to close

4:23pm Friday 8th February 2013 in News By Freya Leng

A SCHOOL for severely disabled children in Chipping Norton is closing, it has been revealed.

Action for Children announced its decision today to close Penhurst School in May following a consultation in October last year with the families and the local community.

The residential school, in New Street, currently supports 13 children and young people with profound disabilities but needs 24 full-time residents to make it viable.

Barbara Street, operational director of children’s services at Action for Children, said: “After considering with the greatest of care a full range of alternative options and feedback from staff, families and the local community, we are very reluctantly and sadly announcing the closure of Penhurst School.

“We fully understand that many people will be saddened by this decision, but despite our best efforts the school has become unsustainable.

"As a result the number of children and young people at Penhurst has been steadily falling and the school ran a substantial deficit last year.

"Based on current projections, there will only be five children and young people at the school within two years.

“We are deeply saddened to have to make this announcement. We would not have made this decision if we had any viable alternative.”