A MUM whose son was born at just 23 weeks, has cerebral palsy and suffers several seizures a week says her boy’s future will be severely affected by the closure of Larkrise Special School.

Lisa Baker, of Soprano Way in Trowbridge, has joined other parents campaigning for Larkrise to stay open, ever since Wiltshire Council announced plans to close it, along with St Nicholas special school in Chippenham and build a £20million super school for special educational needs in Rowde near Devizes.

Mrs Baker’s son Jacob was born 17 weeks prematurely, weigh 1lb 3oz and fighting for his life. His twin brother Joshua died aged eight weeks.

Jacob was born with a bleed on the brain which has left him with cerebral palsy and balance problems.

He has speech and sight problems and often suffers seizures for which he needs oxygen and medication.

Now four, Jacob will be starting school in September and was originally accepted by Larkrise, but now Mrs Baker fears for his future.

Jacob has alrerady used the facilities at Larkrise when having physio, and he currently attends Stepping Stones opportunity group.

Mrs Baker said: “When Jacob got accepted I felt a sense of relief and happiness he would be at this amazing school which can cope with all his needs and he would be five minutes round the corner if he had a seizure.

“I have a massive fear of being very far away from him if he is ill and more so because I lost his twin brother.

“When he is ill he wants Mummy with him all the time and we’ve never been apart when he has had a seizure, he has 12 hours of sickness afterwards.

“When I heard Larkrise was in threat of closure I felt sick in my stomach with worry and anxiety, especially when I was told it was being moved to Rowde.

“I drove to Rowdeford School last week to see where this big super-school was going to be and straight away I felt the journey was too long.

“I feel for the poor children that have to go there on buses everyday, it’s going to be too long a journey.

“With the long journey home they are more likely to sleep. Sleeping at that time of day will disrupt their sleep patterns at night, making them more tired the next day, and it will be a never ending circle.

“Small things like this have a big effect on children with complex needs. Any change can make them ill.

Many of the parents of pupils at Larkrise have been fundraising for the school. To donate, please visit www.gofundme.com/keep-our-special-schools-local or join the Save Larkrise Facebook page.