I have a five-year-old son with Down's syndrome who has a statement of special educational needs. He is very successfully included in the local infant school, as is a little girl with cerebral palsy. But as far as I can see, their needs are being lumped in with those of a motley collection of children who are simply out of control, undisciplined or badly behaved. SEN provision seems to have been hijacked to pay for crowd control in our schools.
I have a five-year-old son with Down's syndrome who has a statement of special educational needs. He is very successfully included in the local infant school, as is a little girl with cerebral palsy.
But as far as I can see, their needs are being lumped in with those of a motley collection of children who are simply out of control, undisciplined or badly behaved. SEN provision seems to have been hijacked to pay for crowd control in our schools.
My son tries hard at school to overcome his difficulties. With appropriate support, which was very difficult to secure, he is doing well. He causes no disruption in the classroom.
The range of 'special needs' encompassed by statements has caused an explosion in the cost of provision and distorted the aims of inclusion. It is in danger of demonising children who truly have special needs, putting back by years the excellent work done to include them in society.
Annabel Tall Bristol
