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Broomhill Bank Special Needs School

I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark), my constituency neighbour, for allowing me to make a brief contribution to his debate. I support the extremely compelling case that he has made for the retention of the present status of Broomhill Bank school with illustrations from two constituents of mine who have daughters at the school and who have given me permission to quote from their letters to me. Mr. Henry Street from Penshurst wrote:"““Our 11 year old daughter has moderate learning difficulties/speech and language delay, and is lucky enough to attend Broomhill Bank School in Rusthall, Kent…Since joining Broomhill Bank our daughter has thrived in its unique and special environment. Her confidence and self esteem have blossomed and we have seen a dramatic improvement in her academic ability since joining from her Primary School….The 16+ unit prepares girls for adult life within the community far better than a mainstream day college ever could.?" Helen, the daughter of my constituent Mr. Adrian Belither, has Down’s syndrome and is at Broomhill Bank. He writes:"““Our daughter's time at Broomhill Bank has been a revelation. She has blossomed from a shy young girl in to a confident and resourceful young woman and her progress will only be enhanced by her time in the 16+ Unit in to which she will enrol in September this year. Although her place is assured for the time the unit remains in existence, this re-designation removes the opportunity for all the girls following her and for that I feel dreadfully sad.?" I also feel dreadfully sad. Broomhill Bank is an outstanding school doing an outstanding job by the girls attending it. Like my hon. Friend, I earnestly hope that Kent county council will reconsider the proposal and withdraw it.