Many of Derbyshire’s 80 primary and 15 secondary schools are not fully accessible for disabled children because of lack of money, says the Derbyshire Education Authority. Education Officer Eric Toyne said the authority was enthusiastic about inclusion and wanted to provide access but the key was money. ‘This year we have £15,000 to make adaptations. Converting a toilet for use by a disabled person can cost £5,000 or building a ramp access can be as much a £4,000. The money won’t go very far.’
Derby Evening Telegraph, November 7, 1997.

Thirteen-year-old Emma Hill is the only child with Down’s Syndrome at a Buckinghamshire mainstream secondary school. But the achievement was hard won. Last year Emma was parted from all her friends when six weeks into term she was asked to leave Holmer Green Upper School. For seven months Emma was taught at home while her mother Susan tried to find a secondary school which would accept her. But now Emma is happy at Sir William Ramsay Secondary School, Hazlemere. A spokesman for Buckinghamshire County Council said: ‘There are 23 children with Downs Syndrome in mainstream primary and middle schools who are supported by special teachers. Emma, however, is the only child in secondary school.’
Bucks Examiner (Chiltern), November 14, 1997

Teacher union chief Nigel de Gruchy has vowed to step in if members object to special needs pupils returning to their classrooms from a school marked for closure. The national general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers, said he was keeping a close eye on plans to close Derringham Special School in Priory Road, Kingston upon Hull. He said he would not hesitate to step in and call for pupils’ exclusions if members could not cope.
Hull Daily Mail, November 14, 1997

A Lincolnshire village secondary school has hit back at critics after it came bottom in the area’s schools exam results. Lafford High School, Billinghay, Lincolnshire is among the bottom 100 schools in the country, but parents are rallying round their youngsters’ teachers. Lafford acting head, Kathy Farmer, defended the result by pointing out that her school was an all ability school in an area where up to 35 per cent were selected for grammar schools.
Sleaford Standard, November 20, 1997

A top voluntary-aided school has come under fire for refusing a partially sighted Fulham, London girl a place, on the grounds that she would be a danger to other children. Annie Chesney, aged 11, from Elbe Street, Fulham, was refused admission to Lady Margaret Comprehensive School in Parsons Green. When her mother appealed to the governing board she was told Annie would be a danger in the school and that her education would be at the expense of other pupils. A letter from the headmistress said: ‘We do not feel we could provide appropriate secondary education in the school without prejudice to the efficient‚ education of other children.’
Fulham Chronicle, November 27, 1997