The new Special Needs Tribunal receives more than 500 appeals in the first six months and disposes of about 50 cases.
Education, May 5, 1995.
Headteacher at Northstead School, Scarborough, Keith Revell, says disabled pupil Jason Jellie is an asset to the school. “He brings so much with him as a person.We can all learn from his good manners, his pleasant personality and happy disposition. The children regard him as just another child which is how it should be”.
Scarborough Evening News, May 6, 1995
School Inspectors find that standards of teaching and achievement at St. Cenydd Comprehensive School at Caerphilly,which takes 50 pupils with physical and hearing disabilities are satisfactory or better in nine out of 10 lessons, and that no poor work was recorded. The inspectors said the disabled youngsters play a full part in the life of of the school which has a safe and caring environment. Their able-bodied classmates benefit from working with them.
South Wales Echo, May 6, 1995.
Lesley McIntyre says she’s considering going to the European Court after losing a High Court Case which she’d hoped would lead to Lambeth Council having to install a school lift for her daughter, Molly, who uses a wheelchair. Her mother claims a lift is a legitimate educational provision because without it Molly can not get a full education. Commenting on the High Court result, she said:”I am fighting for the lift because I want Molly to have the same opportunities as other kids at the school. I’m also fighting for a principle. There are hundreds of children around the country who will be adversely affected by this ruling”.
The Guardian, May 9, 1995.
New research into funding for autism throughout London has found big gaps in services. One mother had to send her son to school in the Midlands because there was nowhere else for him to go.
Hendon Times, May 11, 1995.
More than £10,000 has been spent by Calderdale Education Department on adapting Raistrick High school to cater for a pupil with cerebral palsy, Seth Crank. The headmaster of the school, Mr. Peter Clark, said the funds would enable the school to be adapted for Seth’s needs, and also for other children with disabilities.
The Brighouse Echo, May 26, 1995.
Wrexham Support Centre says it is having to cope with twice as many children as it can manage following an increase in the number of youngsters being excluded from mainstream schools. Head of the Centre, John Morris, said Clwyd Education Authority is running an “ambulance or undertaker service” – to get the bodies away from the schools. Mr. Morris claims that schools wanting to maintain their image, difficulties in coping with the curriculum and changes in Government policy on exclusions have all played a part in increasing the number of youngsters being excluded. He has presented the authority with a report calling for more support to be given to youngsters within schools. Once they are excluded it is very difficult to get them back into mainstream.
Daily Post, Liverpool, May 26, 1995.
A new £100,000 unit has been funded by Kent Education Authority at Thamesview School, Gravesend, so that physically disabled pupils can take full advantage of mainstream secondary education. The unit provides a base where students can find support for personal care, therapy and independence skills, study, and improved access to computer technology. The new facilities include a therapy area where a community paediatric physiotherapist visits weekly to develop exercise programmes for individual students.
Gravesend Reporter, May 11, 1995
