Fight over school place for Whitley Bay disabled toddler
A disabled Whitley Bay toddler due to start nursery is told he must go to mainstream school against his parents wishes.
A Whitley Bay mum says she’s having to fight the local council to secure her disabled toddler a place in special education.
Rae Lowe is the mum of 3-year-old Gideon who has Prada-Willi Syndrome.
The condition comes with learning difficulties, behavioural problems and an uncontrollable appetite.
However, despite not being able to speak yet and still wearing nappies, Rae tells us her son is refused the support he needs.
She said:
“We feel very strongly that he should go to a special school, they are insisting that he goes to mainstream.
“It’s really a safeguarding, his appetite means that he will unfortunately will try to eat anything. He has and will try to eat things like Play-Doh, he eats liquid soap if he can, he eats the pasta that children use in arts and crafts.
“It feels like we’re having to concentrate on the negatives which is hard because as a parent we want to celebrate his successes but at the moment to protect him and to keep him safe we can’t do that. We have to keep reiterating what the dangers are and what the extra support is that he needs.”
A spokesperson for North Tyneside Council said:
“We would not usually comment on individual cases. However, as a council, we are committed to ensuring that all children receive the very best education in North Tyneside.
“All cases like this are carefully considered by a panel, made up of a range of skilled professionals, who consider all options. We always start by trying to ensure children are as close to mainstream education as possible because we know this inclusion can make a big difference to their development.
“We support the child, and their family, throughout their development to suit their changing needs. This can include additional and special provision at our mainstream schools as well as at our successful special schools.
"Like all of our children, a further assessment will be undertaken during Gideon’s time at nursery to determine which school best meets his future needs.”