The Northern Ireland Department of Education is to be pressed by Newry and Mourne Council to introduce sign language as part of the curriculum of all primary schools. Councillors agreed to take the necessary steps as part of its ongoing drive on equality to ensure that the needs of young people with hearing impairments are addressed.
Newry Reporter, January 10, 2002.

A diabetic teenager has won a legal ruling against his school after being banned from attending activity trips because of his disability. Tom White, 16, was told by Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, Lancashire, that he could not go on a water sports holiday in France because of his diabetes. Preston County Court has ruled that the school acted illegally in barring the youth. Tom said: ‘All I wanted was to be treated like everyone else, not to be made to feel different just because I have diabetes. I hope no other pupil has to suffer discrimination of this nature.’ The Disability Discrimination Act does not yet cover the education system and the school used that loophole to impose the ban. But the judge said that the school should not have barred Tom from activities which would not be seen as part of his formal education. From September new laws will close this loophole. Disabled students will be given better protection because schools, colleges and universities will be required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for them.
The Independent, January 14, 2002.

A mother forced to take her special needs son out of mainstream school has welcomed a Government clampdown on bullying. Pat Payne claims that tough new plans to introduce special anti-social behaviour units for bullies will look at the underlying reasons which lead to children taunting their classmates. Pat’s 14-year-old son, Anthony, was among a number of children with special needs to be integrated into mainstream education as an experiment last year. But continual bullying about his learning difficulties from other children led to Anthony being removed from Grangefield School, Stockton, and sent back back to his old residential school. The Government moves on bullying are in response to growing national concern about violence in classrooms. As part of a new clampdown pupils caught with a weapon can be expelled on a first offence.
Evening Gazette (Teeside), January 17, 2002.

A disabled teenager has scooped a national award for her outstanding contribution to school life. Danielle Griffiths,16, a pupil at Cardinal Allen RC School in Fleetwood, was given a Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award. Not only is Danielle a conscientious student, she is also a prefect and bullying mentor and is always on hand to help others at the school. Teacher, Anna Blythe, who is head of Danielle’s year, said: ‘Her exemplary personal, social and academic progress is an inspiration to others, especially younger pupils and those who are on occasions vulnerable.’
Blackpool Gazette, January 19, 2002.

Able-bodied pupils from West Cumbria have been going to classes in wheelchairs to get a better understanding of what it’s like to be disabled. Whitehaven School pupils have been exploring different aspects of physical disability for their GNVQ health and social care course. They teamed up with Earl Street Mobility Centre in Cleator Moor to learn what it is like to get around in a wheelchair.
West Cumbrian Gazette, January 24, 2002.

Teachers at a school’s £380,000 unit for autistic children say their main aim this year is to integrate the youngsters into mainstream classes. Adrienne Wright, head of the communication and learning department at Beal High School, Clayhall, made the pledge before the official opening ceremony yesterday during 2002 Autism Awareness Year. Staff from the rest of the school have already had training on autism awareness and pupils will have assemblies and talks in their tutor groups aimed at encouraging them to befriend their counterparts in the unit and reduce their reliance on teachers. Mrs Wright said: ‘If we can do something to raise the understanding among the mainstream students about what it means and what it is like to have autism and why the children behave like they do, that would have a huge impact.’
Ilford Recorder, January 24, 2002.

A review of special schools across Kent has received support from head teachers. Steven McGuiness, of Rowhill Community Special School in Wilmington, is one of many countywide supporting the Kent County Council initiative. Mr. McGuiness said: ‘Hopefully a review of special schools will result in more focused provision, which will enable us to have the resources to support mainstream schools, who have an ever growing number of children with special educational needs.’ The shake-up could see some schools close or have their roles changed to cater for pupils with complex problems, while supporting special needs children in mainstream education.
Dartford and Swanley Extra Informer, January 25, 2002.

Scottish councils yesterday questioned whether there was enough cash set aside to renovate schools so disabled pupils could get a mainstream education. The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities estimated that altering school buildings in South Lanarkshire alone could cost as much as £10 million. COSLA raised its concerns after Finance Minister, Andy Kerr, pledged to provide £9 million a year to pay for the measures contained in the Education (Disability Strategies and Pupils’ Records) (Scotland Bill). The minister said cash would also be available through the inclusion programme which backs efforts to improve access to school buildings and the curriculum for disabled pupils.
Aberdeen Press and Journal, January 30, 2002.