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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

So this is inclusion.....

30 replies

heartinthecountry · 14/06/2004 16:23

Just wanted to share this with everyone because it makes me hopping mad. A friend of mine has twin boys with CP. They are the lovliest, funniest boys and, although they have physical problems and some communication problems because of the CP, from my observation I would say they are of 'normal' intelligence.

My friend went to see a local school about the boys going there and the first thing she was told by the headmistress was "we do not accept academic failures at this school". Stunned, my friend asked her to explain exactly what she meant and she said "we would not accept a child who would bring down the academic standard of the school". If this isn't bad enough she was also told that should the boys attend the school they would have to stand at the back of the queue for dinner etc because the other children couldn't be held up by 2 pupils "just because they can't walk properly".

I am utterly outraged and astounded by this. Has anyone had any similar experiences? I am a believer in 'inclusion' in theory but if our children are facing this kind of ignorance and prejudice from a head teacher then what hope is there?

Sorry for the rant, just reminds me what a long way we have to go....... makes me sad

OP posts:

Blu · 14/06/2004 16:25

Blimey - this is unbelieveable! Are schools bound by the DDA? (Disability Discrimination Act) I think your friend should make a formal complaint to the LEA. She must be feeling so sick.

lou33 · 14/06/2004 16:29

This is making me furious! I would urge your friend to right a strongly worded of complaint to the lea. A headteacher has a very important role to play, in sending postive messages to their pupils, encouraging acceptance and tolerance of all people, and she is absolutely not doing so. What sort of impressions will she pass on to the children in her care. Absolutely outrageous. Tell your friend not to let this go. Don't send them there either.

Soulfly · 14/06/2004 16:31

Surely thats discrimination, you could get your friend to write a letter to your mp too. Thats disgraceful. I would have wanted to punch her right in the mouth, sorry.

dinosaur · 14/06/2004 16:34

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

NomDePlume · 14/06/2004 16:35

Jesus ! I can't quite believe this, I'm outraged on your friends behalf, hitc. I'd definitely be penning a letter to my local MP.

lou33 · 14/06/2004 16:36

Also contact Scope and bring them in on it.

ScummyMummy · 14/06/2004 16:38

Utterly disgusting.

Tell your friend to contact ACE or IPSEA for more advice. Sounds like a TOTAL breach of the Disability Discrimination Act to me too, Blu.

Hulababy · 14/06/2004 16:40

That is absolutely appalling and makes me feel so annoyed and sad . I can't believe such a woman would be working in such a position of power! I think your friend needs to complain - to the board of governors of the school and, if a state school, the LEA or OFSTED.

It is just so out of order, particularly the last comment of hers: "would have to stand at the back of the queue for dinner etc because the other children couldn't be held up by 2 pupils "just because they can't walk properly". Argh!!!!!

lou33 · 14/06/2004 16:42

Makes me depressed for ds2, there is a new headteacher starting at the school he will attend, and the outgoing one is so lovely. Dreading what she will be like.

tamum · 14/06/2004 16:57

What a witch. This actually makes me feel genuinely physically sick. Lou, surely this is an attitude of only a tiny minority? Surely??? God, I hope so, and I hope your ds and the twins have lovely caring headteachers in the end.

hmb · 14/06/2004 17:02

I would have thought that this would have broken the DDA.

To be honest I would have thought that missing out on this sort of dreadful behavioir would be a positive advantage. If this is what the head thinks they are better not going to such a backwards looking school

dottee · 14/06/2004 17:15

This is disgusting!

I completely agree with contacting the LEA (and personally addressing the complaint to the Director of Education) and contacting the local MP (especially following the current Government's directive of including SEN children into mainstream). And the Chair of Governors asking what the school's SEN policy is.

Hope this matter is sorted out and the children are appropriately and happily placed. Bless 'em .

maddiemo · 14/06/2004 17:21

Have to say this is pretty common. My friend was told by a school that they "would not take that sort of child". Her son has ASD/ADHD.

When the portage teacher first visited my house (my ds3 is autistic) she said my local primary had lots of problems with accepting SEN children. It tends to make you so unwelcome that you eventually remove your children. Good job I had sent my older children elsewhere.

Another friend was by the primary she looked at "no matter what we do for them (the sen child) we just seem to loose them, it never works out"

In my LEA it is often the high fliers in the league table who are the worst offenders.

It means we end up with certain mainstream schools having a reputation for accepting SEN whilst others are no go. Yet according to my LEA all the schools are welcoming and can meet any need. My LEA is currently mainstream mad simply because it is cheaper for them

hmb · 14/06/2004 17:31

School nearest to me (not where I work) has a very bad policy re inclusion. A friend's child has dyslexia and was refused a place, in the letter it said not to bother appealing if the child had SEN, They have 1.5% of their children on the SEN register. Where I work it is at a more realistic 16%. They get away with it because they are seen as the flagship comp that is doing well. Comprehensive school my arse!

lou33 · 14/06/2004 17:35

Tamum I do hope you are right.

Thomcat · 14/06/2004 17:43

I was told something similar re academic standard of school by a private school I went to check out for my DD. This was a PRE-school! They 'train their pupils up ready for schools with high academic acheivemnets'.

It's disgusting and I'm so sorry your friend is another one that has had to face this kind of archaic attitude.

This kind of attitude simply should not exist.

How sad that the school will miss out on two pupils who could really teach THEM all something.
At least the mother knows exactly what she is dealing with and can sigh with relief on one hand that she didn't send her boys to a school where anyone can have that outlook.

Good luck to her in finding a school that doesn't have such a stinking attitude, she'll find one soon and meanwhile she should really do something about this 'persons' attitude to her sons.

so and so, so

sobernow · 14/06/2004 17:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hmb · 14/06/2004 18:05

Similarly I was in University with a man who had been affected by Thalidomide. He had very shortened arms and affected finders. He is now a lecturer in astrophysics who specilases in the formation of stars. while at university he took part in a wide range of sports (and everything else for that matter)and got a Blue.

The head is a shortsighted bigot who should be ashamed. She is the one with the disability

coppertop · 14/06/2004 18:07

I think she should definitely write a strongly-worded letter to anyone involved with this witch and her school. Makes me appreciate just how lucky we've been with ds1's school for September.

Jimjams · 14/06/2004 18:38

Strongly worded letter quoting the DDA to either the LEA- or if it is private an independent body (they will belong to something).

Our local school has an appalling record with SN. I have been told that all HFA/AS they have had have been "driven out" so god knows what they would have made of ds1. And yes they do like to be near the top of the league tables. Anyway that's why I drive 25 minutes in the morning to take ds1 to school.

nutcracker · 14/06/2004 18:53

OMG, that is disgraceful, i would definatly complain. What a stupid ignorant woman

Original poster

heartinthecountry · 14/06/2004 19:19

Thanks everyone for your messages. I am sure my friend will write a letter of complaint though when I spoke to her I think she was just reeling from the shock. I will pass on all this support and great tips re: getting other organisations on board.

I don't know if it was a state or independent school, independent I think. I guess they think that gives them more license to include who they want. You are all right though, I'm sure it must contravene DDA.

Thank God there are some supportive schools out there. I know that whatever School the twins do go to will indeed be lucky to have them. They light up any room they are in.

OP posts:

ks · 14/06/2004 19:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Jimjams · 14/06/2004 21:25

If you friend finds out which group they belong to (headmaster's conference, woodard etc) then she could write to the head office, copying the letter to the offensive head. She could also contact ISIS and if she's not publicity shy the local rag.

She should also write to the school's govening body pointing out that asides from being offensive the head is contravening the DDA. It would be hard to do anything about that- but as a solicitor pointed out at a talk I went to - it tends to put the wind up people if they are told that.

Hulababy · 14/06/2004 21:29

Independent schools usually belong to some association or other that you can contact.

Even if a school is academically selective (state or otherwise) the school should still be letting these children sit the exam/interview regardless of other SNs. And there is certainly no excuse for the second comment ever.

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