Reception classes decision causes distress

I am writing to express my deep concern about the decision of Swindon Borough Council to deny children with EHCP access to specialised schools by not opening reception classes in Chalet and Crowdys schools this year.

This decision is affecting many children with autism, who require specialised care and support to meet their unique needs. It is unacceptable that the council has made this decision without proper consultation with the families who are affected.

Parents of children with autism are extremely worried about their welfare and education, and they feel their voices have not been heard.

Specialist schools such as Chalet and Crowdys provide children with autism with the necessary care and support, as well as an environment that is conducive to their learning and development.

By not opening reception classes, the council is forcing these children to attend mainstream schools, which lack the necessary resources and experience to cater to their needs.

This decision is not only harmful to the children, but it is also putting an undue burden on the already overstretched mainstream schools.

It is unfair to expect mainstream schools to provide specialised care to children with autism when they do not have the resources or experience to do so.

I urge the council to reconsider its decision and open reception classes in specialist schools for children with EHCP as soon as possible.

It is the right of every child to have access to high-quality education and care, and it is the responsibility of the council to provide this.

I work in an Early Years provision where we provide support for some of the children who will be negatively impacted by not having access to specialist provision.

The distress this is causing the families is incomprehensible.

Name and address supplied

Free school meals for all schoolchildren

As a teacher and parent, I am deeply concerned for children in my community and right across Britain.

I regularly see the impact of hunger on the ability of the disadvantaged to make progress in their learning.

How are children supposed to concentrate when their tummies are rumbling because they haven’t had any breakfast?

The packed lunches of these children are woefully inadequate- usually just a few packets of pre-prepared nutritionless junk which provides a quick energy boost followed by a slump for the remainder of the afternoon. No matter what’s happening in the country or the economy, no child should ever go hungry.

But last year, four million children were living in households that went short of food. These households are our neighbours, our colleagues, our families. This Government should be ashamed.

Extending free school meals to every child in primary school is one thing the Prime Minister could do today to ease the pressure on every family during these difficult times. It would ensure every child gets a healthy, hot school dinner, every day.

It’s a no-brainer. In England, free school meals are universal up to year two.

Why do we stop feeding children at school when they turn seven? Scotland and Wales are rolling this out already. Children in England deserve no less.

On 24 March, the Free School Meals for All bill is due for its second reading in Parliament. I want to see every MP back this bill.

We can get this done. It just takes the political will and moral clarity to do what’s right.

Jenny Pinkney

Minety

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