Parents of four-year-old David Ivins are taking his case to a Special Educational Needs Tribunal to try to settle a dispute with South Glamorgan County Council about where he should go to school. His mother wants him to continue at Peter Lea School near his home where pupils have raised more than £1,000 for an electric wheelchair for him, but the Council say his needs will be better catered for in another school where he will have access to extra teaching help. Peter Lea School is backing David and his family.
South Wales Echo, September 7, 1995.

Nottingham Council has been accused of political dogma by denying parents the right to choose a special school for their children. Fourteen youngsters from Parkside Special School which has closed are being kept at home by their parents who want them to attend a grant-maintained special school rather than the mainstream schools offered by the Council. One parent explained that she wanted her son to go to the type of school “he was used to”.
Evening Post, Nottingham, September 5, 1995.

Schools, local authorities and colleges of further education will have to review their admission procedures for disabled pupils when the new Disability Discrimination Bill becomes law later this year. The new Bill is Government-sponsored and has been brought forward to replace the more radical but ill-fated Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill sponsored by Harry Barnes MP and backed by the disability lobby. The Government Bill originally made no mention of education but measures were included after pressure. Schools will have to publish information about the arrangements for disabled pupils and the steps taken to prevent them being treated less favourably than other pupils. Colleges must in future make a “disability statement” setting out their suitability.
The Times Educational Supplement, September 8, 1995.

Grant-maintained Winston Churchill Secondary School in Woking has completed phase one of its “Access for All” scheme enabling it to take three physically disabled pupils with hopes for more to follow in future. At the opening ceremony Woking MP, Sir Cranley Onslow, said he hoped it would show Surrey County Council what could be done. So far the adaptations, including, ramps, a platform lift and adapted toilets have cost £53,000 which has been contributed from school funds. A fund-raising appeal has been set up to fund further improvements, estimated initially at £200,000. These would include three more lifts, additional ramps and adapted toilet, an adapted sports changing room, a fitness suite, and an artificial sports area.
Woking News and Mail, September 14, 1995.