img
  • Nigel Pugh

  • Education Advocacy Uk Ltd

  • Rewards 61

Questions [0]

Questions they have asked

Answers [3]

Questions they have answered

  • My child is being turned down by all the independent schools we are applying to based on his recently diagnosed dyslexia - does this contravene the disability act?

    My child recently had neurodiversity screeners by a charity. They provide reports but not diagnosis and suggested his had strong signs of dyslexia and possibly ADHD. He is year 6 and due to go to year 7 in a few months time. We have applied to 3 non academically selective independent schools and they have all turned our application down. The first which is supposed to have good provision for dyslexia, turned him down on the basis of the report saying they couldn't support his type of adhd. They hadn't even met him, he doesn't have a diagnosis for ADHD and certainly there was no mention of a type. We are wondering now whether he actually has adhd or whether we were just going through a tricky developmental stage at the point of the screener. I've tried to get an ADHD private diagnosis since to rule it in or out but no providers have come back to me. I'm not happy for him to be turned down over something that is not diagnosed. We have managed to get a private dylexia diagnosis since. It confirmed his dyslexia. He scored significantly low for literacy but average in other areas and particularly high in others (98th percentile in one particular test). The conclusion was he can still be successful academically (particularly in STEM) provided his dyslexia is supported. Since then our last 2 independent school options have said they cannot support his dysexia requirements. I am told he does not qualify for an EHCP and as far as i can see the dyslexia recommendations are standard. 25% more time, pre-teaching, some small group dyslexia support and speech to text tech. All of which is supposed to be available at the last school in particular that has a specialist learning facility. Are they discriminating or can they just get away with saying they can't support him and he won't be able to keep up with his cohort?

  • Tribunal B, F and I (July 2024): the LA made a request to appeal, the case has been reviewed once (inconclusive), I am now awaiting a second review (with the original panel)

    The LA want to carry out an Annual Review. Can changes be made to those sections which are being reviewed by the tribunal?

  • Understanding change of placement in section I after permenant exclusion?

    My son is in year 7, EHCP and been permanently excluded.

    He was in mainstream and I was trying to get a change of placement but the LA had not put the paperwork through in time and told me to wait. In which time he was PEX. I'm not appealing the PEX as it's pretty pointless, he lasted 10 weeks in Mainstream school.

    Now the PEX has prompted a change of placement under section I. I have named a specialist, the LA are consulting on Parental preference. But they feel his needs can still be met in Mainstream and consulting with them.

    Due to the PEX he is now educated outside of school and the LA have set him work online with a tutor online. Which obviously does not meet provision F. I also work full time and after next week I have zero childcare. I have complained to the director of children and suprise, nobody cares.

    I have two questions with anyone that has been through this:
    1.When the LA name a school that is not parental preference I have the right to appeal under SEN tribunal, this is currently a 9-12 month wait, is this triaged as more urgent as he is not in school? Also will the 'tutoring' remain in place whilst I appeal?
    2.I have contacted every solicitor I possibly can to proceed with judicial review, can anyone recommend anyone that could take legal aid and has availability?

    I actually have no idea what to do and I don't actually no how I'm going to keep my job. Anyone that's been through this experience and could share would be much appreciated, I can't find this situation online anywhere.O