Launched in 2007, this
site was set up to facilitate the fundraising appeal for our
daughter, Isabella. Our Local Education Authority did not agree with
our preferred school and as such, her long term placement there (for
the past 2 years) has been funded by ourselves. A part time place at
the school costs around £9,500 per year, rising to a full time cost
of £21,000.
The Local Authority deemed Isabella's attendance at Paces School to
be "an inefficient use of LA resources". To challenge this decision,
we were therefore faced with the unenviable task of a tribunal
hearing which was scheduled for April 2010.
Days before the
hearing, we were delighted to accept a Local Authority 'offer' to
take responsibility for her placement at our preferred school.
Her full time attendance at Paces School is secured for the next 12
months. Thereafter, an annual assessment will take place and we
await to see the outcome and consequent decisions.
For the moment at
least, all imminent fundraising events have been put on-hold,
pending the outcome of the next annual review. Funds from very
recent fundraising events are now being used instead to purchase
equipment such as a special needs bike and touchscreen notebook.
As always, thank you
to everyone who has supported our appeal.
