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School searches for alternatives after outcry
A school for severely disabled children which announced its closure has said it is now exploring alternatives following a massive public response.
More than 15,000 people have signed a petition urging authorities to help keep St Christopher’s open for its 38 youngsters – some of whom need round-the-clock care.
The school is now thought to be in negotiations with possible buyers to keep the services going. Asked if they were looking at a possible sale, acting principal Michael Frosch told Bristol24/7: “In response to the interest and commitment from parents and key local authorities, St Christopher’s trustees are actively engaged in exploring alternative options.”
The school on the Downs announced its closure after its board of trustees found it to be “economically unviable” due to changes and cuts to the way its pupils are funded by their local authorities.
The announcement that it could shut in March this year caused an outcry, with parents of schoolchildren claiming the next closest adequate provision for their children would be up to 200 miles away.
A petition calling for the Education Secretary Nicky Morgan to intervene topped 15,000 signatures last weekend.
St Christopher’s provides care, education, 24-hour nursing, an on-site medical centre and a variety of therapies for some of the most vulnerable children and young adults up to the age of 25.
“It’s not that the parents don’t want them at home,” David Martyn, who has a 14-year-old step-son at the school, told Bristol24/7. “It’s just that they can’t manage the extreme behaviour. It’s an increasingly difficult situation to be put in.”
He said his step-son Jason needs round-the-clock attention to prevent him from sometimes doing damage to his surroundings and other people.
Fees at the school, he said, come to about £150,000 a year in Jason’s case – as some councils are finding it increasingly difficult to pay for following central government cuts.
David, 58, who lives in Bath, said he had been looking into options for care as far away as Derbyshire for when St Christopher’s closes.
“Many of these youngsters are helpless. Unless you see the level of handicap for yourself, it is difficult to understand or believe what they and their parents go through.
“Society has to decide whether it’s going to carry the burden, and the question is: how?”
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