Mother launches scathing attack on Suffolk SEND after Felixstowe pupil writes heartbreak begging letter

By Derek Davis

24th Sep 2021 | Local News

The mum of a child who wrote a letter begging to leave a Felixstowe school because he felt failed by authorities, has launched a scathing attack Suffolk's Special Education Needs Service.

Emma Nicholson's 10-year-old son Isaac sent a heartbreaking handwritten letter (pictured) outlining his desire to return to Shotley school after suffering an unhappy period at Causton primary in Felixstowe, where the family claim his educational progress has suffered.

Throughout the three year period his mother and step-dad have tried desperately to ensure Isaac is given the teaching he needs, at the school he can settle into but feels badly let down by Suffolk SEND, that was heavily criticised in a report published this week by a Lincolnshire authority.

Mrs Nicholson told Nub News: "Suffolk county have really failed Isaac over a number of years and his case worker from the county inclusion service has been utterly useless.

"I don't get how these people make choices about children they have never met.

"The whole provision service is appalling, a child with no additional needs would never be allowed to miss three years of education."

Mrs Nicholson is concerned at the example being set and feels families of children with additional needs are being discriminated against.

She said: "We bring children up to not discriminate, to accept differences and embrace them yet the education service feel it okay to let these children down, to deprive them of a good education and to segregate them.

"Myself and his step dad have begged and begged for support and learning provisions to be put in place and yet he is now on his last year of primary having missed three vital years which could massively impact his future."

Lucy Thompson head of Causton primary school, which is looking to fully merge with Madistone Road infant school, said: "At SET Maidstone and Causton the children are at the heart of everything we do, so I'm naturally saddened to hear when a parent or pupil is disappointed with their experience of the school.

"It would not be appropriate for me to comment on any individual situations, but our vision is for a truly inclusive school, where the needs of all children are met exceptionally well, including those with special educational needs."

Mrs Nicholson praised staff at Shotley for trying to help Isaac but felt disappointed that causation head of school Lucy Thompson had not been supportive.

"Shotley primary have always been very good at offering support for Isaac even when he hasn't been a pupil at the school, said Mrs Nicholson.

"I have received very little support and poor communication from Causton school and have had very little contact from Mrs Thompson the head teacher who apparently is very busy between two schools.

Richard Dedicoat, Shotley primary head teacher, said: "As a Suffolk school we've asked to meet with the Local Authority to discuss SEND provision for the children at Shotley.

"To ensure we can provide the very best opportunities for all of the children during their time with us.

"As a school and as part of ASSET Education we share the concerns of the recently released review of Suffolk's SEND services undertaken by Lincolnshire County Council. We are now determined to work closely with the Local Authority and across Suffolk to ensure the very best provision in place for all children."

A Suffolk SEND spokeswoman added: "We can't comment on this individual case because of confidentiality."

Nub News reported on Tuesday how Suffolk SEND had failed Isaac, and many other children and parents and had apologised following a scathing report from an independent body. Full story here...

     

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