School excluding my son

[ilovethecold]

My boy is 4 and has ASD and is attending a school trip tomorrow with his peers.

The coach trip is 30 minutes long and we've been told today he's not allowed to attend the coach due to another SEN child a few months ago taking his seat belt off and that they have done a risk assessment - they need to think of the other child so we will need to drive separately to take him.
I've asked if dad can go on the coach so he's not being excluded they have said no due to spaces.
He will also have his 1:1 on the trip. My son loves coaches / transport and I've told the school that there's never been an issue when I've taken him on public transport or his seat belt and actually this would make his day. They wouldn't budge.

I've got so many stories this year alone where they have excluded my child. He loves his school , I have no issues getting him there; he's not disruptive he just struggles socialising with others and needs routine/ structure.

I have made a complaint to the headteacher before about not being inclusive and they seemed to of brushed past it when he got accepted into a provision setting in September.

What are others thoughts what I can do about this or who I go to?

You need to quote the equality act ( below)
It is not fair to have a blanket policy for all SEN children at all.
If he has 1 to 1 the risk assessment should be noting that they will be next to your child to ensure the belt is worn. They should have asked you if this was an issue.

If this isn’t an isolated incident I’d contact the local Parent support officer/ service for SEN pupils who will advise and probably support you in a meeting with school. Look on the Local Offer online.

What do you mean by a provision? In the school or is he leaving?

I would request a copy of the risk assessment.

If DS is starting at an ARP in September I presume he has an EHCP? Does it mention anything about trips/off site activities?

Sorry yes he's attending an ARP in September The head teacher said she had advice from city council and they have suggested for him not to go and we drive him there.
I said what would you do if neither of us drive. Also wondered why they are comparing my son to another SEN child where all children are different.

There is no problem me driving him there at all, it's just how they are assuming he's incapable of sitting on a coach for half hour and excluding him from his other peers.

He does have an EHCP in place but there is nothing about school trips.

I also asked if there was a SEN child who you had problems on the coach a few months back then they should provide additional seatbelt etc as surely they can't discriminate all SEN children in the future , also asked the question surely any child as young as the age of 4/5 take their seatbelt off.

Make sure you follow up verbal conversations with emails so you have a paper trail of evidence.

I would make a SAR for the risk assessment and the communication between the school and the LA.