PARENTS of students with special needs claim they are still being kept in the dark about courses at Warrington Collegiate Institute.

And with only three weeks until the start of the next academic year, they are worried that time is running out to make an informed decision on their sons and daughters' futures.

Concerned parents contacted the Guardian in July following rumours that places for students with learning disabilities would be cut but these were refuted by principal Paul Hafren.

College bosses maintain that parents and students are being kept fully informed and tutors are always available to sort out any queries.

Chris Edmonds, whose son Gary is on the Moving On course at the college, said: "We haven't got any further forward since term ended despite writing letters asking for meetings with the principal and the chairman of governors.

"We've still not got any information about what courses are on offer in September and we're not being given any answers.

"It's difficult to understand why changes are being made when the existing course is so successful and with only a few weeks until the students are back at college, time is running out."

According to a statement issued by the college earlier this week, all parents have been invited to meet Dave Cox, head of department, to go through any queries but only a few, out of 500 or so students, attended.

It stated: "All students have been offered alternative courses and invited to speak to the course tutor in more detail.

"Paul Hafren is currently on leave and in his absence senior managers have responded to the letters sent by the parents mentioned, and Paul will action this upon his return next week."

Mrs Edmonds, from Bruche, said: "These students haven't been asked what they want and all we know is that they are not going to be together next year.

"It's such a shame because they get on well as a group and they support each other in lessons.

"Our main concern is that they are going to regress instead of continuing to progress."