School accused of failing disabled boy

Nov 23 2007 by Ben Guy, The Journal

A DISABLED boy has been removed from school by his mother because of the “humiliating” way in which he has been treated.

Michelle Thompson said she had been left with no option but to take 12-year-old Harry, who is practically wheelchair bound as he suffers from muscular dystrophy, out of school after he was left to go to the toilet unaided.

Harry’s plight was highlighted by The Journal earlier this year, after he was taught in isolation because Northumberland County Council had not installed sufficient ramps at Berwick Middle School, meaning he could not get to some lessons.

Those ramps have now been put in place, but Miss Thompson said she had removed Harry from school as soon as she found out that he had been left to go to the toilet without assistance.

She said: “It is disgraceful and it has been absolutely humiliating for him. He has been saying that he didn’t want to go to school for some time, but I didn’t realise it was this bad.

“When I found out what had been going on he told me that he had avoided having anything to drink at school so that he would not have to go to the toilet. It is appalling.”

Miss Thompson confronted the school about the situation, and was told that Harry had been left to go alone because support assistants felt uncomfortable due to his age and the fact that he is nearing puberty.

She added: “It was always the understanding that someone would be helping Harry when he went to the toilet. He is at the stage where he can only walk a few steps, so he needs someone in there to help.

“Harry has told me that he never wants to go back to the school, and I am inclined to agree with him. I can’t leave him at a school where I know no one is helping when he needs it.”

Harry is now learning at home, near Cornhill on Tweed, with work sent out to him by the school.

A council spokesman said: “Harry Thompson has his own female support assistant who is with him throughout the school day. We understand that the support assistant physically takes Harry into the toilet cubicle and makes sure everything is okay for him, and then goes to stand outside the door to respect his privacy.

“There is a carer on call at the school should Harry feel he needs any further physical assistance, however the school currently understands that this is not the case.

“We are disappointed that Ms Thompson has chosen to remove her son from his school at this stage, but understand that the school is providing work for Harry.

“A review meeting of his statement of special needs is to be held as soon as possible to discuss future educational provision. We will continue to work with the family to accommodate their needs in the best way we can.”