A Leeds mum is “fuming” after her son was rejected from an academy as she believes it was due to his autism.
Kirsty Rose Hewkin, 35, is at her wit’s end as her son Tayler Hewkin, 14, has been out of school for about three years and she desperately wants to get him back into regular education. The Armley mother-of-two described 14+ Academies, part of Leeds City College, as “every parent’s dream” which made it an even bigger blow when his application to join the Year 10 intake was turned down.
14+ Academies, based at Park Lane Campus, offers an alternative environment to mainstream school with an emphasis on vocational subjects. So, while the academy isn’t a dedicated special educational needs (SEN) provision, the bulk of their intake at (66 per cent) this year were SEN pupils.
