A Northumberland mother is so pleased with the way her disabled son has been supported in his primary school that she has recommended the school for the Government’s coveted Charter Mark award. Nine-year-old Grant Kane, who has dyspraxia, has been a pupil at Coulson Park First School in Ashington for three years. His mother, Carol, said of the school’s headmaster, Michael Lawler: ‘I always feel as though Mr. Lawler doesn’t put problems on you but actually takes them away from you. I have been very impressed with the education and care Grant receives’.
Newcastle on Tyne Journal, May 5, 1998.
Totnes schoolboy, James Rowe, has won over Devon education chiefs to get a place at a senior school alongside his pals. James, who has spina bifida, and his parents have spent the last six months battling to get a place at King Edward V1 Community College. The Council initially proposed to send James to a school in Paignton ten miles from his home but have now agreed to make money available so that KEVICC can become disabled-user friendly.The £80,000 windfall to the college represents three-quarters of the county’s disablement access budget. College Principal Mr Stephen Jones said: ‘Myself, the teachers, and governors are delighted that we will be able to encourage disabled students, teachers, and parents to use our facilities’.
Totnes Times, May 14, 1998.
Young children with hearing problems are having their high ambitions capped by lofty ceilings in older school buildings. Sounds bouncing around classrooms with high ceilings make it difficult for those with hearing aids to understand their teachers. But now Bolton Council has been awarded a special needs grant to install suspended ceilings so children with hearing difficulties can join in the lessons at one local school. Staff at Devonshire Road Primary say the £11,000 Government grant to improve the acoustics in eight classrooms will also help their full-time pupils concentrate on their work.
Bolton Evening News, May 14, 1998.
A group of sighted childen formed their own club to learn Braille following the arrival of Charlie Coyle, who is blind, three years ago. Now the pupils at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic First and Middle School in Harrow have written to the Education Secretary, David Blunkett — and received a reply in Braille.
Harrow Observer, May 14, 1998.
A Barnsley primary school is to join with a nearby private school in a newstyle project to tackle problems of dyslexia. The scheme is one of a number of different projects nationwide in which state and private schools are working together to break down barriers between the two sectors. Darton Primary School is teaming up with Wakefield Independent School to identify needs and to provide teaching to remedy dyslexia-type problems for pupils. Barnsley Dyslexia Association will carry out assessments. It will also help train a teacher in each of the two schools who will be designated to specialise in such work.
Rotherham Star, May 16, 1998.
Tony Blair has been urged by a group of young people who brought their complaints to his doorstep to back moves to integrate more pupils with learning disabilities into mainstream schools. Protestors from organisations including the Alliance for Inclusive Education and mental handicap charity Mencap arrived in Downing Street yesterday. They asked the Prime Minister to support a change in the law to stop local education authorities forcing disabled youngsters into special schools.
Lichfield and Burnwood Express and Star, May 27, 1998.
