petition to get my son the right school

[strathyjags]

i have a son who has about 6 disabilties/special needs including bad epilespy,autism,cerebal palsy,blindness,hydrocephalus,brain damage he has spent the last 7 years at aviemore primary school special needs unit,no this summer he is high school age and education have decide even though drummond high school in inverness is the only school he can attend,he should go to grantown grammer school,even though they have no facilties suitable for his educational needs.or extensive medical needs,nor have they experinced a child with these disabilties before,when education discussed where he was to go,none of his medical,pyhsical or mental problems were discussed,all they said was hes been ok in aviemore for last 7 years so grantown will be fine for him,and they also said drummond school was full

if anyone would agree with me that he needs to go to inverness for schoolnig can they please sign the online petition i have just started,that we intend to hand to education in inverness at end of april...thanks

http://www.petitiononline.com/peediedj/petition.html

[Alex MacLeod]

Quick question Marty, do you still live in Aviemore and, if so, would Grantown be easier or more difficult from the point of view of travel etc.

Surely the powers that be will have carried out assessments to ascertain what is best for your son.

[strathyjags]

Quick question Marty, do you still live in Aviemore and, if so, would Grantown be easier or more difficult from the point of view of travel etc.

Surely the powers that be will have carried out assessments to ascertain what is best for your son.

yes mate i still stay in aviemore,and yes its easier to get to grantown,but longer for the ambulance to get to inverness from there,and no assesment was carried out

[Bronson]

Only just saw this thread tonight, i have signed the petition, as has Weez.

Having been in involved in numerous educational and social work reviews, I am only too aware that unfortunately these days the main priority is cost saving, so the priority will be the closest school possible,not the one which would benefit him most.

I find it hard to believe the claim that Drummond school is full, especially as they are close to completing a brand new school there.  we are at a time where inclusion is widely promoted amongst schools for those with disabilities, and many children do manage to succeed in this, however this appears to be a case where the specialist schooling, medical and facilities avaialable at Drummond would appear to be the only logical option for your son.

I wish you good luck Marty as i know only too well the excellent work that is carried out by the staff at Drummond.  I would also encourage all other posters on here to take the time to sign a very worthwhile petition, which could lead to vastly improving a child's quality of life.

[Bronson]

Hi there, Bronson just told me about this thread.

I don't know a lot about the admission criteria for Drummond School or the facilities that Grantown School have but from what you have posted it would seem that Drummond School would be an appropriate resource for your son.  Obviously someone somewhere has made the decision about your son, but as his parents you can challenge this - which it would seem you are going to do so let us know how you get on!  What really really frustrates me though is that despite the current funding cuts to social work services vital services which vastly improve people's quality of life are being withdrawn.  Yet, on the other hand the department is continuing to send young people, outwith their parents control with social, emotional and behavioural problems, to specialist schools outwith Highland at the cost of around ?3,000-?4,000 per week! 

Good luck with any appeal you make.

Weez

[strathyjags]

Only just saw this thread tonight, i have signed the petition, as has Weez.

Having been in involved in numerous educational and social work reviews, I am only too aware that unfortunately these days the main priority is cost saving, so the priority will be the closest school possible,not the one which would benefit him most.

I find it hard to believe the claim that Drummond school is full, especially as they are close to completing a brand new school there.  we are at a time where inclusion is widely promoted amongst schools for those with disabilities, and many children do manage to succeed in this, however this appears to be a case where the specialist schooling, medical and facilities avaialable at Drummond would appear to be the only logical option for your son.

I wish you good luck Marty as i know only too well the excellent work that is carried out by the staff at Drummond.  I would also encourage all other posters on here to take the time to sign a very worthwhile petition, which could lead to vastly improving a child's quality of life.

thanks for your kind words bronson,we have a big fight on our hands ,i have danny alexander and fergus ewing invovled also,both who think drummond is the best option,but education still seem to be ignoring all communication

[CaleyJulz]

Blackie i was was the oppisite way around had to fight to get my son to a mainstream school he also has health probs along with other issues. And it was a struggle but we got there. The school was givin funding for a one to one carer and he has visal probs to so they were given money for a attatchment to his desk to hold his work so that he can see it.

I signed your pitition as each child should have rights to be educated where is best for them.

My wee lad is getting there at school and loves im glad i fought with all my might and heart for this.

So go get yer gloves on and show em whats best for you son !!!

[Mee]

Signed - good luck Marty!  :003:

[SMEE]

i have danny alexander and fergus ewing invovled

What, Danny Alexander getting off his *** and doing something? Suppose he has to do something sometime. He must see potential colum inches in local newspaper in it for himself! Talk about chocolate kettles!

[Johnboy]

Johnboy's signed... hope it helps...

[RichieKass]

Richard has signed - I really hope you are successful in this if sounds like you have a fight on your hands but it's worth the effort...

[Scotty]

I have stickied this because I also stickied the other petition thread (Damian's Law). Its only fair.

have also signed the petition Marty. good luck.

[IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER]

Read my comment on ma signature - Hope yer lad gets the break he deserves.  :022:

[Linwoodictsc]

4gf has signed it as well.

and good luck

(gur math a theid leat).......... :022:

[Connie.Orr]

Pretty sure that your son has the absolute right to go to the school that will most fully meet his needs and give him the most appropriate level of education too, even though it's not exactly on your doorstep (Children's Act 2004?).  Stick to your guns, get your local MSP involved if you have to - things will change then.  Good luck to you and your family.

[Alex MacLeod]

How's the campaign going Marty

[breachofthepeace]

Blackieforce empty your personal message box as I have some info for you which be useful but am not sure it should be posted on the forum for all to read

[strathyjags]

How's the campaign going Marty

fergus ewing and danny alexander are both invovled,and its gone to the top man in education dept,from the tone of his last letter,maybe things are changing,even my son,s headmistress and all professionals involved with him agree grantown isnt suitable for him,thats everyone who knows him and his needs,seems its only people who havent got a clue about him who are sticking to there guns :018:

[strathyjags]

Blackieforce empty your personal message box as I have some info for you which be useful but am not sure it should be posted on the forum for all to read

pm sent  :022:

[strathyjags]

Having been in involved in numerous educational and social work reviews, I am only too aware that unfortunately these days the main priority is cost saving, so the priority will be the closest school possible,not the one which would benefit him most.

mate i have found out its actually cheaper to send him to drummond,than it is grantown,drummonds purpose built,where as classrooms and bathrooms and corridors would need t be adapted to take my son,and also teachers and assistants wolud need to be employed,so drummonds cheaper

also education have a report from my sons epilespy doctor based at raigmore,stating that if he has a long seizure,he needs put on a ventilator otherwise his life will be at risk,gratown hospital havent got one,and grantown to inverness in a ambulance is 50 mins without one,drummond to raigmore is 5 mins tops without one

[strathyjags]

How's the campaign going Marty

trying to get a meeting with alastair dodd cheif exectuvie of highland council,to ask him a few questions since he seems to think he knows all about my son,but i heard there having a meeting  in april,and guess what no parents the people who know him best ,we havent been invited :029: :023:

[MissICT]

I signed the petition!!

It's intresting!!

I worked in Drumond for my work experience and know people who work there.

[strathyjags]

I signed the petition!!

It's intresting!!

I worked in Drumond for my work experience and know people who work there.

it also would be very handy for my son to go to drummond,as once a month he goes to the orchard,which is next door to drummond,and he could stay the whole weekend instead of just 2 nights

[MissICT]

I've heard of the orchard!!

It's a good place!!

hope your son gets in to drumond It's a good school and the staff are good!!

Good Luck!!

[strathyjags]

I've heard of the orchard!!

It's a good place!!

hope your son gets in to drumond It's a good school and the staff are good!!

Good Luck!!

he loves the orchard,he was there this weekend.he goes there for a week in july every year to give us a break