The following Cumbria County Council statement concerns the decision by the Education Secretary Ruth Kelly MP to direct Cummersdale Primary school to accept a pupil who had previously been excluded from a different school.
It has now emerged that the mother of the pupil has withdrawn her application to send the child to Cummersdale school.
“Cumbria County Council has grave concerns that the needs of the child are being overlooked and that statutory processes are not being followed.
Confidential information about the case has become known to the public –to the extent that the parent of the child concerned has been approached and intimidated at her place of work. This intimidation has led to her withdrawing her application to Cummersdale School and the matter has been referred to the police for further investigation.
At the time the parent formally requested placement at Cummersdale School, there was a place available and the Local Authority had no alternative other than to offer a place in accordance with statutory requirements as the Admissions Authority. This was the school of parental choice, it was not chosen by the Local Authority.
It was clear that the pupil had additional needs and following a thorough assessment of those needs a range of support was identified as follows:
• Attendance at a Pupil Referral Unit;
• Additional support in school;
• Gradual admission;
• Literacy Support;
• Regular review of placement.
When the child was due to start at school, there would have been a package of support in place. With this range of support the Local Authority felt it was reasonable to admit the child to the school. Local Authority Officers sought meetings with the Head and Governors to address their concerns and to plan a supported admission - these meetings were either refused or cancelled by the school.
The parent has a statutory right to a placement at the school and it was only when the Local Authority was unable to secure such placement that we sought a direction from the Secretary of State, who directed the school to accept the pupil.”