An online petition has been set up after Kent County Council announced it is considering closing a special needs school in Hextable.

Furness School, in Rowhill Road, is attended by 31 pupils with behavioural problems.

It will be shut down by the end of August pending a consultation by the council and the school's interim executive board.

The council says the special school should close because it is not popular with parents and has a substantial budget deficit from which it may be "impossible to recover".

However a woman who works at the school, who asked not to be named, said parents and pupils have been shocked by the announcement, which was made on Tuesday (February 3).

She told News Shopper: "We provide support and security for students that haven't coped in mainstream schools - staff and care staff have worked so hard to build positive relationships to enable the students to really engage with the learning and meet their full potential.

"We have specialist facilities and teachers on site to ensure children gain valuable qualifications and are successful in transferring to education over 16.

"They won't get the same opportunities in other places.

"Until you have walked through the doors you don't understand - we are like a family. I cannot describe how we are feeling. We are absolutely devastated.

"The children were all in tears when they found out, absolutely stunned - they didn't understand why it was happening. Some of them were shaking.”

Kevin Shovelton, director of education planning and access at Kent County Council, said: "A decision to close any school is a very difficult one and is only considered when all other alternatives have been considered.

"Furness Special School currently has only 31 pupils out of a possible 60 and is not a popular choice with parents.

"Therefore it is with regret Kent County Council and the interim executive board have decided to launch a consultation on a proposal to close the school by the end of August 2015.

"The school also has a substantial budget deficit from which it may be impossible to recover. The way special schools are funded changed nationally in April 2013, with the majority of funding now being linked to the type of individual pupil need and the number of pupils on the school roll.

"Previously, funding to special schools was allocated on the number of places available, regardless of the number of pupils actually attending.

"We are very aware that pupils with special needs may need extra help in changing to another school so we are working with each individual family to make sure their child’s needs are met.

"The options for each pupil will be unique to them and we will be working with the families to make sure the transition for these pupils is as smooth as possible and causes minimum disruption to their education."

The online petition can be found at savefurnessschool.co.uk, while a Facebook group has also been set up at facebook.com/savefurness

Are you a parent with a child at Furness School? Get in touch by calling the news desk on 01689 885 711 or e-mailing patrickgg@london.newsquest.co.uk