Well we looked round 3 more schools out of our local LEA area and 2 were suitable and can stretch Daniel. There is blind children and partially sighted children as well as physical disabled children at one which is most likely going to be the one they will approve. The nearest school near Nuneaton is fantastic but is not an LEA school so this will probably not be approved although it’s the most suitable as it only has class sizes of 4-5 which is ideal for a child like Daniel but it boils down to getting the LEA to agree to fund it , they would rather pay another LEA as there cheaper than private schools although the transport costs probably bring up the cost of further away special needs LEA schools anyway . I pointed out to the head of our LEA that Daniel would not travel in any vehicle other than ours so the cost of transport would be ours not theirs I am not sure yet whether under the circumstances if I can claim back any of the costs of transport. its going to be two journeys to school and two journeys from school it will cost quite a few £ each week. That why the school nearer in Nuneaton is ideal its has the perfect setting they understand Autism and its closer albeit private so it costs more but then they wont be paying for transport . But it seems regardless of suitability its down to money and nothing else.
The head of our LEA has sent off the paper work to the private school near Nuneaton but made sure we knew it was just that and did not mean it was a done deal he was going there. I do think they will push us for the Lea school near Coventry. But as I mentioned earlier it might not be suitable due to blind children attending as when we looked round we were told they may touched Daniel or brush past him in corridors and this would make Daniel scream as he just does not like being touched. You cant explain to Daniel why they might be touching and Daniel’s reaction to being touched could endanger the blind child and frighten them. I just something that could happen , I mean he gets told off now where he is in case he offends another child for screaming or showing his dislike of being touched. Its part of Autism and as there is not any children who are blind at the private school this would not be an issue. If it was an issue at the school near Coventry this could mean moving Daniel again which would mean unsettling Daniel again. If I had £38,000 X 5 for each year left at school I would send him to the private school and pay my self but a lass I don’t and I cant sell my home as it’s a council house. So Daniel is at the mercy of the system which has so far let him down time and time again.

Daniel brought a letter home on the 17th November which was very shocking news as it was obvious from the letter it must of happened before. Daniels story of the incident differs to that of the letter but it seems the school were worried about pupils telling their version so just included in the letter that they were aware that pupils would have their own version of events covering up what ever did and did not happen. Daniel does not like fiction something school will tell you so I know who I believe.
Daniel passed the letter and then told me that his class were unable to leave the area straight away because the teacher couldn’t handle another frightend pupil so they stayed where they were. Daniel told me that the pupil with Knife could have got to them because of this. The letter states several members of staff tried to deal with the situation but the police were eventually called. The police then dealt with the situation . The letter then says it is a rare occurrence. This has worried me because rare means it has actually happened before. A pupil taking a knife into school and terrorising everyone is a rare occurrence. They say it was dealt with in a professional manner although Daniel tells me slightly different . Daniel says it was sometime before the police arrived . With a child running around with a knife the police should have been called immediately and according to other children they were not believed when they first told teachers that one of the other pupils had a knife. And I get the feeling they think most pupils will alter what happened and tell lies as the letter states
“ I am also aware that pupils may have their own stories but the above account is what happened and very quickly , the school returned to a calm environment.”

So a pupil brings a knife into school. Threatens people the police are called and all ends well. Seems to me the school is more worried about what the pupils will say than the actual fact a knife was brought into school. How many parents would take the statement from the letter I included above as calling there kids liars before they even tell their accounts ,must be a pretty high number. The knife is one thing but writing a letter saying pupils will have their own stories is basically saying what ever you child says is lies. Children see things different to adults any way , more so if they have autism or other special needs. All I know is My son felt like he was in danger and now everyday before school I have to answer his question with . No Daniel you wont get hurt at school today. Meaning it did effect him. And his account of what happened is true to him as he sees it . As with most children at the school. I sure no such letter would ever be written to parents at a main stream school . Just because these children have special needs don’t make them lairs..
Being rare means it not unheard of or has happened before ,All I can say is I hope it does not happened again and each time it does they get better equiped to handle it through experience . Although when someone starts threatening you with a Knife you should call the police immediately no Butts… .
I am not sure if this blog is known to Daniels present school as it was known to his previous school. A teacher at his old school complained to me that they couldn’t put their side of the story over and how they felt. I told them this was not true as they like anyone any where in the world can leave a comment if they access to the internet. The point of this blog in the beginning was to make sure teachers in his mainstream school were aware of Daniels needs and to show them that Daniel is not simply naughty . That point stills holds firm . Only Daniel knows how he feels and its my job to make sure people fully understand him and how his autism effects him. This blog is not to have a go or point fingers its simply exists to help raise AUTISM AWARENESS . Daniel is not alone in his plight .
Remembering we cant compare one child with autism with another child with autism.
ITS CALLED A SPECTRUM FOR A REASON…….