Gedney Drove End mum pleads for place at University Academy Long Sutton for autistic son
A distraught mum of a 13-year-old boy who is facing another year outside of education says he has been left feeling suicidal – and vowed to fight to get him a place in a mainstream school.
Maria Fitzjohn, of Gedney Drove End, wants to see her autistic son Riley Haales being offered a place at University Academy Long Sutton in September as the youngster cannot continue in his situation.
Riley should be embarking on Year 9 in September but he has not been in full-time education since Year 5 – and Maria is calling on Lincolnshire County Council to make this happen.
Maria, who is the full-time carer for Riley, said: “This is having a big impact on Riley to the fact he is suicidal and says what has he got to live for.
“He just wants to go to school. He says that prisoners get a second chance - why can’t he have a chance in a mainstream school?”
Riley had been a student at specialist secondary school Woodlands Academy in Spilsby until November 2021 but Maria pulled him out after he had been attacked.
Prior to his time at Woodlands Academy, Riley had been attending another school but had only managed to stay for around 15 minutes a day as he found it very difficult.
Last autumn, the family had hoped that there would be an end to the problems when Riley was offered a place at a special school in Boston but unfortunately this did not work out.
Maria has been meeting with officers from the county council and is hoping that a mainstream school place can be found as she fears that he won’t be able to get a job in the future.
She said: “I want them to give him a chance in a mainstream school.”
Sheridan Dodsworth, head of SEND for the county, said: “We continue to work with Riley and his family to find a suitable school place.
“We are exploring places in mainstream and specialist-maintained schools, as well as academies and independent schools.
“In the interim, Riley’s education is being provided through alternative education providers.”