Mum's frustration over son who has not had full-time education for FIVE months

A FRUSTRATED mother has accused education bosses of "dragging their heels" after revealing her son has not received a full-time education for five months.
Ann Hird, 36, said her son Brett, 9, has been attending school part-time since September whilst the local authority tries to find him appropriate provision.
Brett was diagnosed with having intellectual disability in October, which came as no surprise to his mother.
"From five years old, all I got from the nursery was that he was a naughty child. It was not until he went to Oasis Academy in 2015 that they said he needed to go to CAMS to get tested," said Ann.

"I asked for help time and time again but all I was told was that he was a naughty child."
Brett left Henderson Avenue Oasis Academy at Easter last year and went to a facility in Brigg where he received specialist educational support.
However, that facility wasn't able to accommodate Brett at the start of this academic year and since then he has been back at Henderson Avenue again, but only on a part-time basis as the school cannot provide him with the appropriate support.

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Ann said: "On a Monday and Tuesday I have to get him up because I have other children that have to go to school, but he doesn't want to get out of bed because he says he isn't at school.
"Because of Brett's disability he can't be in mainstream education."
Ann said she met with Henderson Avenue and the local authority before Christmas to put together a statement outlining Brett's needs, but is still waiting to hear the outcome.
"There are other children out there suffering, why does it take so long?" she said.
The frustrated mother accused the local authority of "dragging their heels".
In the meantime she is waiting for a new facility to become available that will provide Brett with specialist support two days a week, but his mother believes that her son needs it full-time.
Ann said: "I have been aware that there has been an issue for a while because he couldn't handle being in a classroom or even on a playground with many children, he was always fighting or throwing chairs.
"I don't want him to go to a mainstream school where he might end up getting expelled. I want somewhere that will help him in the long run."
The mother said the situation is starting to take its toll on her son.
"He is getting himself upset and telling teachers he doesn't want to go because he is getting messed about so much."
A North Lincolnshire Council spokesperson said: "We are working with Ann Hird and the academy to ensure Brett has access to full-time education.
"We are planning on providing a new facility for children with additional needs. This will be a base for education specialists to work with primary age children.                                                                                    
"It will allow a small number of children to attend the centre for assessment and to receive bespoke support on a temporary basis."
Ann may be frustrated with Brett's situation, but she has complete admiration for Henderson Avenue in Scunthorpe which continues to support the family until the situation is resolved.                                                       
"I can't fault them at all, they have supported me every step of the way," said Ann.
"It would be nice for him to be able to stay full-time but my concern is he needs the support – at Henderson Avenue he can't go out at break-time and dinner times because he can't be trusted."
Leighton Stroud, deputy head at Henderson Avenue, said that Brett was referred to the academy for additional support and alternative provision.
He said: "This was available for some time but was ceased following a local authority decision."
Mr Stroud added the school would continue to support Brett and his family until the new provision becomes available.