Following a long campaign lead by parents, the GMB and NUT trade unions, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council have announced a u-turn on their plans to close Abbey Special School. Despite the victory for campaigners, the council still intends to reduce the number of available places from 105 to 60. This will ensure however,  that it gives the best opportunity for the school to improve and will drastically reduce the excessive stress levels that all staff have been placed under.

The GMB, NUT and especially parents with children at the school have been pounding the streets of Rotherham collecting signatures for a petition which was submitted to the Council which over 5000 people signed.