No education for Anna*

Anna is nearly 16 and has Down’s syndrome. During the last two years, her education has suffered hugely.

Anna was permanently excluded from school in May 2006 for pulling a teacher’s hair. Anna’s statement of special educational needs notes that she generally has a positive attitude to school and to work.

Following the exclusion, Anna’s mother expected her Local Education Authority (LEA) to find Anna a place in another school very quickly. After all, the (LEA) had a duty in law to provide Anna with education suitable to her special needs. Sadly, this did not happen.

Eventually Anna’s mother appealed to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal. Despite receiving treatment for stress, she managed to put the appeal together by herself and to find an independent special school which was suitable for Anna and would offer Anna a place.

Anna’s mother attended the Tribunal hearing in January 2008 on her own. The hearing was adjourned. Anna’s mother was directed to bring more details of her chosen school. The LEA was directed to identify any other school suitable for Anna. Informally, the chair advised Anna’s mother to contact the Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) for some support with her case.

The DSA referred her to IPSEA who have a long standing contract to provide advice to parents they refer to us. We quickly contacted both the school and the LEA. It soon became clear that the LEA had not found an alternative school for Anna, despite having had nearly two years to find one.

The school Anna’s mother had chosen was a reasonable and suitable choice. The LEA finally agreed to place Anna at this school. Anna started at the school in March 2008, and is thriving there. Anna will get no apology or compensation for her loss of education.

IPSEA and the DSA are working together to ensure that children with SEN / disability receive the education that they need and are entitled to.

* Names have been changed.