ADHD boy's education may be decided in court

From the archive, first published Saturday 18th Feb 2006.

DORSET'S local education authority may go to court over the schooling of a boy with special needs.

Reece Graham, 10, who takes the drug Ritalin to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), was suspended from Wyke Regis Junior School after threatening a teacher with scissors following a playground incident with another pupil.

His father, Alex, 51, has refused to send him back to the school, claiming the school cannot cope with his needs and has hired a solicitor to take on his case.

He says he wants the LEA to send his son to a school suited to dealing with his condition.

Michael Charles, a partner at Cardiff-based Sinclairs solicitors, specialises in human rights and education cases and is now acting for the family.

He said: "At the moment we are considering a number of options and it is hoped that this unfortunate situation can be resolved by a meeting I am proposing to take place with the local health trust, education department and social services.

"The reasoning for it, quite frankly, is that this child's situation is totally and utterly unacceptable.

"The school he is at is unable to meet his needs.

"What should be done is the child should have a special assessment of his needs.

"If the situation remains unchanged I will be advising the parents to bring a claim to the court but it depends on what we get.

"It depends on the LEA's reply. I've made certain requests and I have asked the authority to consider a thorough assessment of the child's needs."

Mr Charles added that he is trying to resolve the situation without going through the courts if it is possible.

A spokesman for Dorset County Council said the authority is unable to comment on individual cases.

He added: "The authority is continuing to work with the family to resolve their concerns."

Mr Charles has worked on several high-profile cases involving children and education laws, including the famous `Internet twins' case.

He represented Alan and Judith Kilshaw from Wales, who paid £8,000 to adopt twin baby girls over the Internet from America.

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