An average of 34 special schools have closed each year since Labour came to power, schools minister Stephen Timms has revealed.
Special school supporters have claimed that the Government is closing special schools as part of a drive to ensure that more pupils with special educational needs are taught in mainstream schools.
The figures show that in the Tories’ last two years in office 51 special schools were closed, nine fewer per year than under Labour. 1998 and 1999 saw the greatest number of closures - 35.
This year 22 special schools have been closed so far, bringing the total to 157 since the beginning of 1997. At the start of this year there were 1,113 maintained special schools in England.
Stephen Timms gave the information in response to a question from shadow education secretary Damian Green.
