PLANS to close teaching units for deaf and hearing-impaired children at three Basingstoke schools have come under fire from the town's MP.

Maria Miller has criticised the proposal made by Hampshire County Council chiefs to close units at Park View Infant School, Park View Junior School, and Aldworth Science College by August 2008.

The proposed closures are part of a restructuring of education facilities for deaf and hearing-impaired children across Hampshire, which would see a number of units merged into three groups of linked schools covering the south, centre and north of the county.

Currently, teaching of children using auditory/ oral communication and sign language in mainstream schools is separate, meaning children may have to change schools if they want to use a different form of communication.

The proposed changes would see both types of communication taught at each of the remaining units.

Under the county council's proposals, the 11 children who use the units in Basingstoke will have to travel to Farnborough or Winchester for teaching.

Councillor Felicity Hindson, the county council's executive member for children's services, said: "It is important that our services meet the changing needs of children who are deaf or hearing-impaired, and these plans recognise that a range of communication modes may be appropriate for these children.

"The plans also provide for continuity between primary and linked secondary schools."

However, Mrs Miller has criticised the proposals. She said: "I am deeply concerned at the recommendation for wholesale closure.

"It is clear that enormous pressure on local authority finances is a major contributory factor, creating the pressure for closure.

"The changes would mean children as young as four travelling to Farnborough to attend infant school."

The county council is carrying out further consultation on the proposals, and the results will be reported to Cllr Hindson in January before a final decision is made.

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