Campaigner Sue Bennetto is urging parents to attend the first meeting of the Special Schools Protection League . A vigorous crusade to safeguard the future education of special needs pupils has been launched in a bid to stop children in Wigan becoming ‘a lost generation’. The group which is made up of parents across the borough is determined to fight Wigan education bosses and make their voices heard – they do not want their children back in mainstream school.
Wigan Observer, February 4, 2003.

A special unit for primary school children with autism will move from Rainham, to Hoo St Werburgh. Marlborough Special unit is currently based in Maidstone Road, Rainham and attached to Byron Primary School in Gillingham – almost two and a half miles away. By moving the unit to the site at Hoo St Werburgh Primary School it is hoped pupils will be able to benefit from joining in with mainstream school activities . In a report to Medway Council’s Cabinet, planning and review manager, John Farry, said: ‘The Medway inclusive education strategy states that pupils at special units should have good opportunities for integration into the mainstream school. The ideal situation is for the unit to be fully integrated into the premises of its parent school.’
Medway Standard , February 4, 2003.

Northumberland County Council has come under fire from the Ombudsman for letting down a little girl. The council has forked out £1,000 in compensation to the girl’s parents to be used for her education and changed its procedures following the mistake. The girl, now aged 12, and from the Morpeth area, was sent to a special school in September 2000. But her Mum complained the council failed for two years to provide vital speech therapy which would have allowed her daughter to attend a mainstream school.
Northumberland Herald and Post, February 5, 2003.

A special school in Tonbridge is likely to be expanded to cater for more children with serious and complex needs as part of a countywide initiative to meet growing demand. The Ridge View School, Cage Green Road, specializes in helping children with learning difficulties and could take up to 45 extra pupils from throughout the borough following Kent County Council proposals. A review of the county’s provision for special education concluded that there were not enough places in special schools for four main groups of children who have autism, behavioural difficulties, severe emotional needs and complex medical conditions. Ridge View is one of 12 schools that may be expanded .
Tonbridge Courier, February 7, 2003.

A draft bill in Parliament to give disabled people new rights has been welcomed by Burnley MP, Mr. Peter Pike. The draft Disability Bill covers changes to the public sector, transport and premises as well as widening the definition of disability. The Secretary of State for Works and Pensions, Mr. Andrew Smith, said: ‘This draft bill will significantly advance the rights and opportunities of disabled people . Publishing a draft bill enables full examination of its provisions before its Parliamentary passage begins’.
Burnley Express , February 7, 2003.

Thousands of children with learning difficulties will lose legal rights to special education if a new government bill is passed, parents and autism campaigners have warned. A group has been set up to oppose Scottish Executive plans to scrap the Record of Needs system , which gives local authorities a legal responsibility to provide schooling for pupils with special educational needs. The group Record of Needs Alert (RONA)claims the executive has not consulted parents properly before pushing the changes through. However, an executive spokesman said the replacement of the Record of Needs with a strengthened, streamlined intervention process, with a new flexible co-coordinated plan for children follows extensive consultation.
Sunday Herald (Glasgow), February 16, 2003.

Edinburgh University has spelt out plans to discriminate in favour of state school pupils . The university’s court, its highest decision making body, listed the situations in which state educated pupils will be given priority in admissions. Mature and disabled students will also have a head start , as will those who come from Scotland, particularly from Edinburgh. Timothy O’ Shea, the University’s Principal, said: ‘If you know someone with brilliant potential, who is unlikely to apply to the University of Edinburgh please encourage them’.
The Times, February 19, 2003.

Skill, the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities, has welcomed the news that the University of Edinburgh is to make changes to its admissions systems to take account of the circumstances of disabled students. In a letter to the Editor, the chief executive of Skill, Barbara Waters , said the issue had nothing to do with lowering standards or making admission processes arbitrary and unfair. It was simply about identifying students who have the potential to succeed .
The Independent , February 21, 2003.