The Government has announced that £30 million will be given to schools and education authorities to improve access for disabled children in schools. The Schools Access Initiative allocation for 2000–2001 will be used to improve facilities in mainstream schools ranging from new ramps to providing braille equipment for blind pupils. More than 1,900 schools will benefit from this year’s £30 million programme. Over the next three years to 2002 Government expects to allocate £100 million to mainstream schools to help them to improve their facilities further.
Lincolnshire Today, July 2000.

Teenagers with Down’s Syndrome progress much better in mainstream secondaries than special schools, research shows. Unpublished figures from the University of Portsmouth show that far higher levels of reading, speaking, writing, maths and general knowledge are achieved by pupils with Down’s Syndrome in mainstream schools. Lead researcher, Professor Sue Buckley, said: ‘We show that there has been almost no progress in special schools since the 1980s. We can not see any reason for any child being there.’ The study, which is due to be published in Autumn, tested 46 Hampshire teenagers with Down’s Syndrome, 28 in special schools and 18 in mainstream. The researchers compared the results of both groups with an earlier study in 1986.
Times Educational Supplement, July 7, 2000.

Dramatic proposals which could see the demise of special schools in Southend, Essex, were unveiled by education chiefs last week. The radical school shake-up aims to get youngsters with special needs into mainstream schools and could see three of the town’s five special schools close. Southend Council has launched a major public consultation – ‘Towards Inclusion&’ – to help decide how drastic the changes to the present system must be. Council education boss, Stephen Hay, said: ‘The aim of the review is to raise educational standards for all children and to make sure that children are not excluded from receiving a quality education simply because they have a disability.’
Southend Yellow Advertiser, July 5, 2000.

A Bradford school has been accused of dashing a disabled boys hopes of carrying on his education with his best friends. Daniel Flynn, who has cerebral palsy and walks with a frame, was overjoyed when he heard in January that oversubscribed Thornton Grammar School had offered him a place but five months later the Flynns were told that the school, which controls its own admissions because of its foundation status, had changed its mind because of Daniel’s disabilities. His father Richard is appealing against the decision. ‘I think he is being discriminated against. He is not being allowed to go to a good school because of his disability.’
Bradford Telegraph and Argus, July 17, 2000.

The man spearheading the fight to save Gloucestershire’s special schools has been nominated as a Hero of Gloucestershire for 2000. Graham Barton, chairman of the Special Schools Protection League, has worked tirelessly for the campaign, says Pauline Bonnie who nominated him for the award. ‘Everybody wanted to do something to help the campaign but nobody was willing to take the responsibility for getting things started. He also had the determination to see it through, despite the fact that his daughter had now been transferred to another school outside the county.’ The Heroes 2000 award was the brain child of High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, Major John Eyre, and is run in conjunction with the Lord Lieutenant, Henry Elwes and the Gloucestershire Echo.
Gloucestershire Echo, July 19, 2000.

Parents fighting to save Gloucestershire special schools from closure today vowed ‘The fight goes on.’ The protesters pledged to continue the struggle, despite being dealt a bitter blow by county councillors yesterday. They were left reeling when councillors voted to go ahead with the closure of Bownham Park School, the first of four area special schools facing the axe. But today they pledged to take their campaign to 10 Downing Street in the hope of sinking the controversial special educational needs development plan. There had been joyful scenes at Shire Hall on July 10 when the education committee voted 15 to 14 against closing Bownham Park School in Stroud. Three parent governors who sit on the committee swung the vote when they sided with Conservative and Independent members. But the victory was short-lived. Yesterday the combined power of the Liberal Democrat and Labour groups on the full council backed a motion reversing the decision by 34 votes to 26. It was the first time since 1984 that a decision made by a committee had been overturned. It means Bownham Park will shut in 2003.
Gloucestershire Echo, July 20, 2000.

Pupils with learning difficulties have been given the chance t o go to a mainstream school in Oxford. Special school, Mabel Prichard, in Littlemore has opened a base for its 13–16-year-old pupils in Peers Upper School in nearby Sandy Lane West. The group of 11 Mabel Prichard pupils have severe and profound learning difficulties. They will be based at Peers and taught separately for academic subjects but will have the opportunity to join mainstream pupils for practical subjects such as art, craft, design, music and PE. Miss Jane Wallington, head of Mabel Pritchard School, said: ‘The new Department for Education Green Paper talks a lot about inclusive education. The co-location of Mabel Pritchard reflects this Government’s aspirations.’
Oxford Times, July 21, 2000.

New assessments for students with all kinds of special needs will be introduced next term in 60 Kent schools. The policy has been created in consultation with schools and parents and is part of Kent County Council’s All Together Better project. It aims to help gifted pupils, those who speak English as their second language, and those with physical or learning disabilities. Each student’s needs will be assessed by Kent’s education department instead of through a long-winded legal process. Teachers will work directly with learning and behaviour specialists, psychologists and parents to do what is best for each child.
News Shopper Dartford and Swanley, July 26, 2000.

People whose education was blighted by incompetent teachers will be able to sue for damages after a ruling by the law lords yesterday. Education experts forecast that the bill could run into millions after a victory by four former pupils whose special needs were overlooked. A panel of seven law lords agreed unanimously that local education authorities had a legal duty to ensure that the students’ needs were met. Teachers owed a duty of care to all their pupils not just those with special needs. One law lord, Lord Nicholls, of Birkenhead, said that the ruling would not open the door to claims based on poor quality teaching. Students would have to prove incompetence or negligence comprising specific, identifiable mistakes.
The Times, July 28, 2000.