A FIGHT for survival has been won for a unique school, once under threat of closure.Impending doom at the Suffolk School For Parents, has been replaced by a celebratory strawberry tea, an open morning, and even expansion.

By Tracey Sparling

A FIGHT for survival has been won for a unique school, once under threat of closure.

Impending doom at the Suffolk School For Parents, has been replaced by a celebratory strawberry tea, an open morning, and even expansion.

The Star revealed in February how the Sproughton-based school might have to close after the umbrella organisation which had supported it, folded.

Organisers were left having to fundraise and apply for charity status themselves.

But in April, the school won a £25,000 grant, and donations and pledges of help flooded in after our story.

The school helps families with children who have cerebral palsy, by using teaching methods similar to those of the world-renowned Peto Institute in Hungary. Lessons at the Suffolk facility encourage children, accompanied by their parents, to use their senses and learn how to do simple tasks.

Allison Boggis, team leader, told the Star today: "Thanks to your coverage that generated huge local interest in the group, the project has been running successfully and we are now in a position to expand our services."

She added that some parents needing help may still not know about the school's existence, and said: "We believe that there are still families with a pre-school child with cerebral palsy who are not able to access our service."

There will be an open morning at the premises in Perry Barn, Burstall Lane, Sproughton from 10.30am to 12noon to show the services on offer.

Fundraisers including local businesses, have been invited to a strawberry tea to celebrate the school's new independence, on the afternoon of June 27.

For more details, call Allison on 01473 652880.