Parents’ anger over cuts at special schools in Seaford

Sabden Multi Academy Trust, in Eastbourne, receives more than £800,000 to run schools including Cuckmere House in Seaford and St Mary’s in Horam, near Heathfield.

But East Sussex County Council says some of the funding, which is from the Department for Education, needs to be reallocated as other special schools need more cash.

It means funding for extra-curricular activities which take place at Tower House in Eastbourne will end in August. The centre will shut at the end of that month.

Frank Stanford, headteacher of Sabden, said in a letter to parents: “I have been responsible for Cuckmere House School for the past 26 years and during that time the residential provision has been identified as outstanding on numerous occasions.

“We are looking into possible ways of how we may still be able to offer extended day experiences and I will endeavour to keep you updated.

“As you can imagine this is also somewhat of a traumatic time for the care team who only heard of the decision at Easter.”

Johannah Rowland, 40, from Lewes, whose 12-year-old son Alex attends Cuckmere House, is outraged over the cuts.

She said: “The service at Tower House has been exceptional and it’s very sad that the service has to be stopped.

“Children in special education need to be taught differently.

“In mainstream schools they struggle to pick up new skills because it is not at their pace.

“However, all the children at Tower House are in an environment they feel comfortable in. They have sleepovers, dinners and they can play with other children.

“This is a place where they can learn to be independent. Sometimes it’s hard for parents to teach children with special needs.

“Before my son went to Tower House all I did was nag at him and that didn’t work.

“It has a big knock-on effect for other parents.

“We are holding a demonstration at Eastbourne town centre on Saturday to raise awareness of this issue and to fight to keep Tower House running.”