A boy has remained at home for five months after being expelled from school when he was just four years-old. Laura Jordan claimed her son Zac, now five, is scared to go outside because he has spent so much time indoors.
She was shocked to discover that councils are not required to get youngsters back into school if they are expelled before their fifth birthday. Zac was asked to leave Holly Hill Church School, in Rubery, Worcs, in October after a number of behaviour problems, including attacks on other pupils and staff, reports the Mirror.
But his mum, 36, believes he has undiagnosed special educational needs that cannot be handled in mainstream schools. Worcestershire County Council has apologised for failing to find a suitable school for Zac and said it is working with his mum to get him back into education.
Laura, from Redditch, Worcs, said: "Zac started reception in September and within five weeks he had been permanently excluded. Ever since he's been out of school as he was only four and the compulsory school age is five. It's very rare for this to happen to a child his age.
"It's pure discrimination, the whole thing. I don't think it's morally right he's out of school when people the same age as him are able to go to school.
"He's been left behind because he's been excluded and offered no alternative schooling provision. He's missed out on his education. This is going to affect him for the rest of his life."
The mum-of-two does not deny that her son has behaviour issues, accepting that he attacked other children and staff at his school. But she believes he suffers from autism, ADHD and speech and language problems.
Laura added: "He was excluded because he's got special educational needs and the school was not able to meet his needs. They couldn't keep him and others safe. But they could've done other things before resorting to excluding him. This would've involved a possible managed move or alternative provision."
She added that Worcestershire County Council has to find Zac a new school by April after he turned five in February. His mother added: "It's down to the local authority to find an alternative school for him. They have requested two special needs schools but they said they are full.
"I fear he will be excluded again if he is chucked into another mainstream school and we will be on this never ending cycle of him going to schools and getting excluded."
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Suspensions and permanent exclusions should only be used as a last resort, but we back headteachers to suspend or exclude pupils where it is necessary and helps maintain calm classrooms.
“We are consulting on changes to behaviour and exclusions guidance to make sure this is used in a fair way, and the cross-government SEND Review will further consult on how children with special educational needs and disabilities are supported by the system, including in alternative provision.”
Local authorities are responsible for arranging full-time education for excluded pupils once they reach compulsory school age. Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for education Marcus Hart said: “Parent carers have a statutory right to ask for a particular educational setting and support for their child but it can at times be challenging to find the right place that has capacity and can meet a child’s individual needs.
"The law requires all children to start full-time education by the beginning of the term following their fifth birthday and we are working with Ms Jordan to find a suitable and appropriate school that meets Zac’s assessed needs, ready for him to start school in April. We are sorry that we have been unable to source an educational provision for Zac that has been able to meet his needs for this period and we acknowledge this is unacceptable for Zac, indeed for any child.
"We are continuing to work alongside Ms Jordan and relevant healthcare providers and partners to ensure that we have a high quality, lawful Educational Health and Care Plan in place for Zac, that will help to ensure he receives the tailored help and support he needs at all stages of his educational journey.”
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
