A MUM claims she was told her son's primary school was "not a good fit" for him by his new headteacher - just TWO DAYS after he started.

       Sarah Doyle, who lives in Ashton-under-Lyne with her son Thomas, had enrolled the four-year-old at nearby Canon Burrows C of E school.

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       Sarah Doyle was told her four-year-old Thomas was a 'good fit' for the school just two days in Credit: MEN Media

       But just two days after he first started, she claims she was told that

       the school was "not a good fit for him" and his educational needs.

       Little Thomas's hours in school were then reduced while she spent

       weeks looking for another place for him.

       The mum is now calling on more support for parents who are left needing to find alternative school spaces for their children.

       Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, she said: "Thomas had been to nursery before he started school and there had been absolutely no issues with him at all.

       "Like all children, he was nervous and worried about starting school

       because it was a whole new experience and was overwhelming for him.

       "He started on the Wednesday and then by the Friday, I had been called

       into the school and told they didn't think it was a good fit for him.

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       "I just couldn't believe it. He hadn't even been there a week and he

       couldn't have had a fair chance to settle in."

       Thomas had started at Canon Burrows after he was accepted onto an

       Educational Healthcare Plan (SEND) while awaiting an autism diagnosis.

       Mum Sarah claims the school were aware of Thomas's needs, and she

       believed they were able to provide for him.

       Thomas had been "nervous and worried" about first starting school in

       September but was not given a proper chance to settle in, claims Sarah.

       The school, which is rated Outstanding by learning watchdog Ofsted, said that they took pride in being "inclusive and nurturing" and had a successful and "comprehensive SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) offer."

       They added that an alternative setting may be considered when "a

       child is considered by everyone involved...to still not be thriving as

       well as they might."

       Mum Sarah claims the school cut the four-year-old's hours down to just three hours a day whilst she searched for another place with resources for his needs.

       She was anxious about "taking him away from the friends" he had made at Canon Burrows, as he's now lost "important learning time with other children."

       Sarah added: "Schools who take on students with educational needs should know how to handle them.

       "I just really want him in school learning like everybody else.

       "He has actually told me he has made lots of friends and loves his teachers.

       NOT CLASSY

       "He is slowly starting to engage but he is never going to learn and

       develop if he isn't given a chance.

       "It is so stressful for him and also for parents who have to find

       another space for their child.

       "It is so heartbreaking, especially because I know the school is a

       great school for other children."

       She added: "I think there should be more support for parents who are told their child's school is not a good fit for them."

       "He has now missed learning that will help him reach his best potential.

       "I just want him to be around other children and be able to fit in. I

       don't want him to keep making friends for me to then pull him away and

       change schools.

       "I wake up at night worried about what the world has got in store for

       my son. All I want is for him to go to school."

       Thomas is currently on a waiting list to be assessed by the Tameside

       and Glossop Multi-Agency Autism Team.

       Canon Burrows Primary School Headteacher Suzanne Fildes said: “While I can’t talk in detail about individual cases, I can confirm we haven’t received a complaint about this case but would welcome the parent contacting us to discuss their concerns with us.

       “We pride ourselves in being an inclusive and nurturing school and

       have a comprehensive SEND offer, which is very successful in meeting

       the varying needs of many children on EHCPs.

       "We will always work with families and partner services to meet the

       needs of a child on an EHCP, and offer all the resources and expertise

       we have available to us to fully support that child.

       "However, when a child is considered by everyone involved – including

       the parents and external professionals - to still not be thriving as

       well as they might, an alternative educational setting may be

       considered.

       "However, the school transfer of a child with an Education Health and

       Care Plan could only be done following a formal review of the EHCP and

       only then with the full participation and agreement of the child’s

       parents or carers.”

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       The mum was anxious about taking her son away from the friends he had made at Canon Burrows Credit: MEN Media

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