A parent has hit out at the school her son attends after claiming that he has "fallen through the gaps of education" during his four years there due to issues with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision.
Emma Stapylton said that she has "battled" with Northallerton School and Sixth Form, part of the Areté Trust, since her son Charlie was in year seven.
After seeing another of her children, who is neurotypical, enjoy their time at the school and pass with "flying colours", Emma thought it would be the case with her son Charlie, but says the problems started soon after he started there.
Next year, Charlie will sit his GCSE exams, with his mum worried that he will struggle to pass them unless one-to-one tutoring and other teaching methods are used.
Emma now feels that she's "hit a brick wall," which has led to Charlie having just 15 per cent attendance during the most recent academic year.
"I've had to go to the school and have conversations with them about my son's attendance, which were 'under caution', despite the bigger issue being that the school haven't taken the time with him.
"They haven't explored the reasons why his attendance is low, and just thought he was acting out - but he's a SEND child with needs.
"They haven’t taken the time with him or put in the necessary referrals."
Used as a group to bring together parents of children with SEND, Emma conducted a poll of parents which concluded that SEND provision wasn't 'up to scratch'.
She now hopes to spark positive change in SEN provision at Northallerton School, attending a meeting along with other parents last Friday (September 27) to voice concerns.
"I want to know how and why they take on children with SEND but don't have the facilities or policies in place.
“He is suffering now along with a whole group of children whose needs aren’t being met by the school, the parents in our group are all having similar issues with exclusions, mental health problems, attendance levels and lack of support in general.
"There are four areas in the SEN code of practice and they are failing every one of them at present."
Following the meeting last Friday, Emma says that she has been promised a full response by the school and the trust.
Emma said: "All I can ask for is that they act upon this meeting, and we move forward for the benefit of our children."
In response to Emma's issues, Northallerton School and Sixth Form urged parents to get in touch with them directly if they have any issues, and said they want to build a more inclusive school in the future.
"We thoroughly enjoyed the meeting and are dedicated to fostering ongoing communication with all parents. If you have any concerns or would like to discuss anything further, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mrs Rahn, our headteacher."
A spokesperson for the Areté Trust added: "As a trust, inclusion means developing a sense of belonging for all - staff, students and parents/carers; to support the presence, participation and progress of students.
"The meeting on Friday, September 27 was a great opportunity for parents/carers from Northallerton School to express their views, and engage with school and trust staff.
"We believe that such collaboration will positively influence the way that our provision for all students, including those with SEND is designed, commissioned and delivered."
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