Ramsey concerned about plans for language unit closure
SDLP Foyle MLA and Chair of the All-Party Group on Learning Disability at Stormont, Pat Ramsey, has expressed anger and concern at news that the Woodlands Language Unit at Belmont House has been earmarked for closure, and had tabled an Urgent Oral Question this morning to bring the Minister to the Assembly to give an explanation for the closure
Mr Ramsey said: “I am very concerned that parents of children who avail of the service were informed of the proposed closure only yesterday in writing, which has caused anxiety for the future of what is a vital service for their children.
“I have tabled an Urgent Oral request in the Assembly this morning which will, if accepted, require the Minister to come to the House and explain the rationale for the proposed closure.
“I share the anger of the local community that the move has been communicated in such a way, and that no consultation was brought forward with parents prior to the letter issued yesterday. We cannot afford to lose this unit and I intend to question the Minister and the Department further on this.”
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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mariac7357
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 12:45 PMI am disgusted at the news that Woodlands is to be shut down and the children relocated, more than likely into another mainstream school. These children are already registered at a mainstream school, which they attend once a week, but mainstream schools are unable to deals with their specific needs. At woodlands they are in in small, intimate envirnoment where they are still following the ciriculum but with the added bonus of having small number and specialist teachers. At a mainstream school, put in a bigger class of their own - where they would be made feel different because they would be part of the building but not the school! Woodlands Language Unit works! It is is a success story! Why fix it if its not broken!
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