Mylo’s family fights for SEND schooling
THE parents of a special needs schoolboy aged ten have vowed to continue their fight against Warwickshire County Council over school provision for their son – Mylo - who is due to start Year 7 in September.
Michelle and Neil Fogarty from Abbots Salford are currently locked in a stalemate with the council over their son’s future education needs as Mylo is autistic, with high anxiety, has sensory processing disorder and ADHD, but as time ticks away the anxiety levels rise and as things stand Mylo won’t be at school in September unless he gets the special educational needs and disabilities support (SEND) a vulnerable child like him requires.
Michelle says they are fighting a battle that many other parents are having to face but rather than “meekly” accept the county council’s take on special care provision for their son they are going to stand their ground until they get the outcome they deserve.
The couple have been offered a place at St Benedict’s High School in Alcester but they argue Mylo is too vulnerable for that environment and have lodged an appeal with the council.
Michelle told the Herald: “Four senior schools have said they cannot meet his needs. Three specialist schools have said they cannot meet his needs.
One private specialist school has said they can meet Mylo’s need, but Warwickshire say they were not prepared to spend that money on him.
The decision was made by the county council in February that he should attend our local secondary school in September even though this school has said they cannot meet his needs.”
For Michelle and Neil the question marks over their son’s next school destination remain unanswered and they believe they – and other parents – are being treated unfairly over a situation which shouldn’t even be allowed to happen.
“We’ve been fighting our corner for the last five years because we knew it was going to be hard finding the right place at senior school. The council sent an education, health and care plan to St Benedict’s but it was incorrect in its details about Mylo and while the school offered us a place in February, we knew it couldn’t offer the SEND provision Mylo needs and the school has since agreed with us having now been given the correct information,” said Michelle.
For the Fogarty family it’s looks like going back to square one but as a family they remain resolute and strong as Neil explains.
“We’ve got an ongoing battle on our hands and it looks like it will drag on into the summer holidays. Mylo is currently at Aylesford Primary School and like any other child he likes his Play Station. Milo is very good at problem solving and diplomacy and would always jump into defend his friends. He’s a loyal friend to his mates because of his fantastic life skills. He’s very aware of his emotions and just wants to fit in.
I’ve tried getting him to support Liverpool but he keeps shouting for Manchester United. Recently, he joined Stratford Athletic Club which he really enjoys. We live in a happy, busy house where no two minutes are the same and we hope things will be resolved soon but deep down we’re still not sure.”
Both Michelle and Neil believe the SEND provision in Warwickshire isn’t sufficient and that Mylo needs to be educated in a smaller classroom environment.
Mylo – who is one of five children - turns 11 next month - an important time in any child’s life - but the ongoing uncertainty about his schooling continues to hang over the family’s daily lives.
Michelle said: “We feel hounded and exhausted by this fight, but we won’t give up on Mylo.”
The couple say they are pinning their hopes on a possible judicial review of Mylo’s case but no date has been set as yet.
