The future of Riverside Special School in Goole is in question, as East Riding Council continues consultations on closing the site and moving pupils to a new location over 20 miles away in Hessle. Parents,
The relocation of Bridgeview Special School to Hull in 2014 will leave the site in Hessle empty. East Riding Council plan to make the site the focus of Special Educational Needs teaching in the region, providing additional nursery, post-16 provision and residential accommodation at the school. Riverside School would close, with pupils transferred to this new facility.
The council argue that while some children at Riverside are local, many travel long distances to attend the school, and the move will actually reduce travel times for many. Focusing SEN teaching in a single, larger, facility would provide a better local provision, reducing the number of children with special needs being sent to areas outside the county.
However, parents argue that there are enough children in Goole with learning difficulties to make the Riverside School viable, and local MP has backed the parents campaign to keep the school open, stating
We understand what the council is trying to do is positive. What we're saying is we're unconvinced whether or not focussing all the services at Hessle is the right way to do that.
