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Barred from Science (Health & Safety reasons)

MulgaBill

Our oldest boy (he's an Aspie) has just moved up to S2 (we're in Scotland) and, as well as all the usual turmoil involved in changing classes, he came home today to tell me that "I was locked out of Science". When I asked what had happened, he said his new science teacher had shut the classroom door in his face and locked it. He didn't know what was happening, so he stood outside the classroom until his guidance teacher eventually showed up. She told him that he wasn't allowed to do science for "health and safety reasons", and he'd have to spend science classes doing "other things" in the special needs area. It's ludicrous as science was his best subject in S1 and the teacher he had throughout never had a safety issue with him.

Has anyone managed to challenge a decision like this? And how?

BTW, I'm on my fourth letter to the school in 10 days to the school, copied to the QIO and Head of Education, not that they ever reply or take any notice. Yesterday's letter was about our boy being kept out of all his classes for an entire day, so he played computer games and watched videos in the special needs area. He doesn't know why and no one from the SMT was available to explain why. (He was quite happy to have a "day off", but I'm not.)

Parents

  • MulgaBill said:
    as far as the school and council are concerned, they "engage" with parents, hold "mutli-agency review meetings" and send teachers on appropriate CPD so therefore they're doing all they can. The boxes have been ticked and nothing further needs to be done.

    Erm, they are not and have not.  They have not disciplined the teachers for discrimination (actually this is against the law and you are perfectly within your rights to report the school to the police)!  They should be ashamed of themselves.  It is utterly appalling.  There is a lot more to be done, for a start they can provide their staff with autism awareness and awareness of the Equality Act 2010 (presume this applies in Scotland?).  Your son is entitled to reasonable adjustments in education.  There is an organisation called IPSEA, not sure if their information is relevant in Scotland again, but you could contact them and ask them to point you in the right direction.

    You could also get an advocate for your son from a mental health charity or similar to write letters and attend meetings or visit the school and speak for him.  Do you have Parent Partnership organisations in Scotland?  Also, ask the NAS for advice.

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  • MulgaBill said:
    as far as the school and council are concerned, they "engage" with parents, hold "mutli-agency review meetings" and send teachers on appropriate CPD so therefore they're doing all they can. The boxes have been ticked and nothing further needs to be done.

    Erm, they are not and have not.  They have not disciplined the teachers for discrimination (actually this is against the law and you are perfectly within your rights to report the school to the police)!  They should be ashamed of themselves.  It is utterly appalling.  There is a lot more to be done, for a start they can provide their staff with autism awareness and awareness of the Equality Act 2010 (presume this applies in Scotland?).  Your son is entitled to reasonable adjustments in education.  There is an organisation called IPSEA, not sure if their information is relevant in Scotland again, but you could contact them and ask them to point you in the right direction.

    You could also get an advocate for your son from a mental health charity or similar to write letters and attend meetings or visit the school and speak for him.  Do you have Parent Partnership organisations in Scotland?  Also, ask the NAS for advice.

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