RESIDENTIAL provision at a special school in Hartford described as a 'lifeline' by parents has been axed amid claims it is causing inequality for other children.
Greenbank School, on Greenbank Lane, caters for 11-18 pupils with autism, speech, language, social, and communication difficulties.
It also offers residential provision for its 13 to 16-year-old pupils one night a week, providing a safe and nurturing environment which extends their education as they prepare for adulthood.
The provision runs Mondays to Thursdays and caters for up to 10 pupils at a time, giving families some much-needed respite from often intense caring responsibilities.
However, at the end of March, the school was made aware of Cheshire West and Chester Council's (CWAC) decision to end its funding for the residential provision from September 2026.
When asked to explain its decision, CWAC praised the quality of the residential service but added it is ‘no longer being delivered in line in the original expectations as set out when the grant was determined'.
It also said maintaining it had led to 'inequality' elsewhere in the borough, especially in relation to extracurricular activities offered to other children.
Unlike other schools, special schools’ residential provisions are inspected by Ofsted every year, and for last two years, the service was rated outstanding Outstanding.
Head teacher, Mike McCann described the decision as ‘deeply disappointing’, adding: “I have shared the news with families and pupils who are equally disappointed and upset.
"The School Council is planning to write letters to CWAC to share how much residential helps and supports them and prepares them for their future aspirations.
"It was also asking councillors to keep it open.
“They really benefit from the opportunity to develop their independent, life, living, communication, and social skills.
“Lifelong friendships are formed and sustained beyond school. The risk of withdrawing the funding grant is all these experiences and opportunities preparing them for adulthood and future lives will be lost.
“School and members of the governing board have written to and received responses from local MPs including Andrew Cooper and Justin Madders, who have asked for more information.
“I hope they will be able to support the pupils, families, and school in order that this Outstanding, successful provision be maintained for future pupils allowing them to continue to learn and succeed together.
“I want to emphasise, during the time school has been waiting for a funding decision, staff have maintained their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to pupils and school.
“I am indebted to these staff, for who I have the utmost respect.”
Jenifer Emerson, whose 15-year-old son, George Emerson-Cela, is a regular at the residential, said: “These provisions are a lifeline to so many families supporting young people with additional needs to be as independent as possible, and providing invaluable respite to carers."
CWAC’s statement in full said: “A decision has been made to cease the grant allocation for residential services, as the eligibility conditions of the grant were no longer being delivered in line with the original expectations as set out when the grant was determined.
“Whilst the quality of what has been delivered has been positive, the approach has unfortunately led to inequality in relation to the provision of extracurricular support for children and young people outside of normal school hours, including for children with special educational needs and disabilities.”
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