TWO Kirklees students look likely to be settled into new schools within the next month.
The plight of Ashley Haigh and Andrew Evans has been highlighted in the Examiner after problems finding schools suitable for their needs.
Ashley Haigh, 15, who was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder when he was eight, was due to attend Edgerton College after his mother withdrew him from a mainstream secondary school because she didn’t feel he was receiving enough specialist support.
But the college, which provides support and education for 14 to 16 year olds not in mainstream education, said it could not take him without a support worker.
Now he is likely to be educated at the Ethos Pupil Referral Unit at Rawthorpe, which has received a glowing report from Government education inspectors. The unit educates vulnerable young people with a variety of needs who do not attend mainstream schools.
His mum Mrs Marie Vissenga, of Huddersfield Road, Ravensthorpe said: “We had a meeting yesterday and it was brilliant. Ashley can get seven GCSEs there and things are looking much more positive. We need a home visit and more information, but hopefully he will start there soon.”
Meanwhile, Andrew, 13, spent his first day at the William Henry Smith School in Rastrick yesterday.
Andrew’s mum Tina, of Botham Hall Road, said his future was hanging in the balance after education officers had failed to find a place for her son two weeks into the start of the new term.
Andrew, who has behavioural and learning difficulties, has missed two years of school since he was seven.
His mum Tina said: “Andrew loves learning and I’m so pleased he has a school which will meet his needs now.
“It has been a very frustrating time, but hopefully life for us all should start to improve now.”
