(UK) NI, Belfast: At least 100 special ed students have no place in school this fall

July 14, 2020, NI ViewDitgital.com: Mum tells of stressful time as her son Harry is told that there is no place for him at NI special needs schools https://viewdigital.org/mum-tells-of-stressful-time-as-her-son-harry-is-told-that-there-is-no-place-for-him-at-ni-special-needs-schools/ Harry Stewart, aged 8, last attended Oakwood Special School on March 13 this year. He has a chromosome disorder, is autistic and non-verbal. To a child like Harry, school is extremely important. But the Northern Ireland Education Authority have informed Harry’s parents that there is no place for him to return to school in September at either Glenveagh or Tor Bank special schools in Belfast?... Colette said the situation had been hard on the family and had been stressful at times. Harry going to school offered respite for the whole family. The news that there is no school place for Harry in September has been a blow for them. It appears that Harry is not alone as at least 100 other children have also been left without a special school place. Alliance Party MLA Chris Lyttle, who is chair of the Education Committee at Stormont, said: ‘It is unacceptable that children with special educational needs are without a school or special school place for September…. Meanwhile Harry and his family face a very uncertain future in terms of his educational needs.