I AM still trying to fathom the reasoning and method behind the decision of the county council's cabinet to close Dean Hall and Oakdene Schools.

It seems amazing in this day of so-called democracy that a decision can be made of such magnitude by a cabinet and, if the quotation by Coun Graham Morgan is correct, our own, Forest of Dean councillors had to read of it in the newspapers.

It is equally amazing that, if the attempt by Couns Jacqueline Hall and Sean Parsons to get the decision referred back by the council's Scrutiny Management Board is successful, it will be referred back to the very cabinet that made the decision in the first place.

I applaud the action of local MP, Diana Organ, in taking the matter direct to education minister, Estelle Morris, thus by-passing an LEA, which is still reeling under heavy criticism from Ofsted.

I have been connected with Dean Hall School for 20 years and know it as an excellent base for special education needs. The staff is highly trained and extremely dedicated. At Dean Hall, for many years now, children who need that little bit of extra help and encouragement have enjoyed the benefits of an excellent educational establishment.

If, like me, you had seen children enter the school for the first time and, in a few months, witnessed the great improvement in ability and confidence they achieved, you would also be disappointed at attempts to close it.

Throughout the consultation process, the overwhelming view was that the school and its excellent service should be retained, the closure was bitterly opposed. As one, who with many others, ventured out on often wet and cold winter evenings to attend the meetings and voice objection, I feel insulted by the remarks of some cabinet members, if once again they have been correctly quoted, that objectors did not know the full implications.

I also feel insulted at apparently being used as a pawn in the LEA's consultation game.

If this decision goes through, education in the Forest will take a backward step. I feel deeply saddened that our children of the future who may need the extra help will be deprived of receiving the education, benefits and attention of such a centre of special needs excellence. – Rev Clifford Davies, chairman of governors, Dean Hall School.