A special needs school in Hextable has been saved from closure after parents battled to keep it open for their "heart broken" children.

Furness School, in Rowhill Road, is attended by 31 pupils - from as far wide as Tunbridge Wells, Folkestone, Hawkhurst and Snodland - all of whom suffer from serious behavioural and emotional problems.

News Shopper reported in February that, pending a consultation by Kent County Council and the school's interim executive board, the school would be shut down by the end of August.

The council said at the time it should close because it was not popular with parents and had a substantial budget deficit.

However parents were left shocked by the announcement, setting up a petition and gathering community support to keep it open.

They claimed alternative options suggested by Kent County Council included mainstream secondary schools with special units - which they said would be inadequate for their children's needs - or schools that were out of the county.

News Shopper:

Last week Kent County Council announced another school, Broomhill Bank School in Tunbridge Wells - which caters for children with autism, Asperger's syndrome and other disorders - would be taking over the day-to-day running of Furness.

Furness will act as a satellite of Broomhill Bank.

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Jacqueline Sinnott, 35, from Folkestone, whose son Brandon, 13, has been at the school since September 2013, told News Shopper:  "KCC had seemed adamant the school would close. It just shows what parent power can do. 

"We all shouted about it and they had to listen.

"We set up a petition and got about 700 signatures. A lot of people spoke up - past pupils and present pupils as well."

News Shopper:

Emma Porter with son Josh

Emma Porter, also 35, from Tunbridge Wells, described her 12-year-old son Josh as "heart broken" when news of the school's closure was first announced.

She added: "We are very pleased. We had a lot of support from members of the public, parents and grandparents.

"I think KCC was quite surprised by how strong the support was.

"The stability and continuity of care for our children is very important. We really didn't want to have to go.

"We really didn't want to have to change knowing that there weren't many options out there.

"But we are special needs parents, we are always fighting."