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(UK) Bracknell: 6-y-o autistic boy has no school place after multiple expulsions

August 5, 2021, (UK) Bracknell News: Bracknell mum slams school for treatment of her autistic son https://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/19494908.bracknell-mum-slams-school-treatment-autistic-son/ Southern England

A mum from Bracknell has slammed her son’s former school for its treatment of her autistic boy. She is in a desperate struggle to get her autistic son a school place for the beginning of the academic year in September. The mum has struggled to get a place for her son since he was excluded multiple times from St Michael’s Easthampstead Church of England Primary School. The mum, who asked not to be named, has criticised the school and Bracknell Forest Council for failing to provide an adequate education for her son, aged six. Problems began at the start of last year when incidents at St Michael’s School led him to get multiple exclusions. The mum, 43, from the Forest Park area of Bracknell, said: “When he started off with the school there was never a problem with him. The first three months were no problem at all. “But then, last January, when I went in to pick him up from the school, a teacher said he had called a little girl a midget. My boy said he didn’t do it. “I have never heard this word before and I don’t believe that he would do this. I wasn’t happy that he got punished for it. How can the teacher believe one child over another without proof? I will never forget this day as it felt I came home with a different child. “According to a child psychiatrist this could have been what set off his autism.” The assistant headteacher Miss Kearney later apologised and said that another boy was guilty of harassing the girl. However her son faced further problems, being excluded by Headteacher Miss Robinson on February, 14. He was also excluded on February 24, 2020. This time, the mum claimed her son was being excluded “because he is running around and the school is not getting any funding for him” – however, this allegation has not been substantiated. It is understood that he will not be returning to St Michael’s after a further exclusion he was dealt on February 28, 2020. He has since received teaching from ‘The Alt Prov’ or alternative provision, which assists schoolchildren aged 5-15 with special educational needs and disabilities, those with ‘challenging behaviours’ and vulnerable children. The mum said: “Alternative Provision were helpful but there has been a regression in his education. He has been there way too long, and he still does not have a school to go to in September. “He’s now on the list for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services CAHMS)… “He’s missing out on his education. He’s a smart, bright kid but he’s not being socialised, and he’s missing out on a lot of school. … Responding to the mum’s allegations, Gary Saunders, the Acting Headteacher of St Michael’s Easthampstead said: “St Michael’s is aware of concerns raised by the parents and understand their anxiety that a suitable specialist school place has not yet been secured…. “Alt Prov was agreed as a setting to help support the child. We have do everything possible to support the child’s educational welfare.” The family is also receiving assistance from Bracknell Forest Council’s childrens services department to arrange how the boy will be educated in the future. Councillor Dr Gareth Barnard (Conservative, Warfield Harvest Ride) the executive member for children, young people and learning at Bracknell Forest Council said: “Officers are aware of the concerns raised by the parent, and have previously responded to these concerns. “I appreciate this must be a challenging and concerning time for the family whilst an appropriate resolution is sought. Our Special Education Needs officers have met with the parent to discuss the situation and update, and they are currently awaiting responses from schools regarding applications. “However, due to high demand they have been informed that there are waiting lists for specialist places, which is the reason for the delay in placement.”…


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