Autistic girl in school wrangle

AN autistic girl from Edenbridge is being let down by the authorities who cannot find a suitable school place for her.

Experts state eight-year-old Chantelle – whose tantrums have twice led to her being suspended from Edenbridge Primary – needs a place at a special school.

But the local education authority says there is no space.

Her mum Joanne Yates, 30, of Plough Walk, said this week: "She may have autism but she is still Chantelle.

"She doesn't work well in big classes, she is having problems with that and coping with the environment. She gets very frustrated with the fact that she cannot understand what is going on."

Mrs Yates contacted Kent County Council about the issue and experts carried out an assessment to analyse her daughter's needs and decide whether or not she should be schooled elsewhere.

But the family was disappointed when they were told that there was no room for Chantelle at Ridge View School in Tonbridge.

To make matters worse, Mrs Yates claims she was told that her daughter's needs were "too great" for the Cage Green Centre, a specialist school for children with autism.

The authority has provided Chantelle with an Outreach service, which sees specialist staff visit her, but Mrs Yates does not think this is enough.

She backed staff at the primary school, however, saying they have been supportive, despite having had to issue two suspensions – one for upturning a table.

"I can't fault them at all, they are supporting me," Mrs Yates said.

"It has been really hard for me, I want what's best for Chantelle and I am really rather angry. I don't think they (the council) understand how we feel, I keep thinking about everybody else in our situation."

Council spokesman Ian Tucker said officers considered specialist provision at a mainstream primary school and a special school for complex needs when reviewing Chantelle's case.

"While the local special school is considered the most appropriate for Chantelle, the number of children who joined the school in September 2009 means it is currently full," he said.

"There are currently no immediate places available for children of Chantelle's age at alternative special schools. Her name is on the waiting list at the local special school."

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