School place anger

SCHOOL’S out: and so is college for Kim Marcroft and son Joseph

Single mum’s primary concern
A DISGUSTED mum-of-three claims she has been forced to quit college because her children must attend schools miles apart from each other.

Kim Marcroft (27) recently moved from Shaw to Chadderton with her three children Joshua (11), Joseph (5) and Grace (3).

But while Joshua was given a place at nearby St Luke’s, Chadderton, she has been told the only other place available for Joseph — who has autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disprder (ADHD) — is at St Aidan’s in Royton.

The single mum, who doesn’t drive, said she can’t be in three places at once to take them to school in the morning and then pick them up at hometime.

As a result, Kim left the final year of her beauty therapy diploma at Oldham College, losing £500 in course fees, to teach Joseph at home. But she has since discovered she won’t be able to do so because he needs additional teaching because of his conditions.
Kim said: “It has been disgusting. While Joshua was given a place at St Luke’s, I just can’t believe the only other place for his brother is miles away in Royton. Grace was at Butterflies day nursery in Oldham College as well so there was no way I’d be able to pick all three of them up at the same time or take them to school in the morning.”

Kim said Joseph doesn’t need to attend a special school but requires the daily structure of school life to help his behaviour.

She added: “Since Joseph’s been at home, he’s been frustrated and naughty.

“With him not in school, I’m worried I’m going to get into trouble with the attendance people.

“There should be some leeway, especially as I’m trying to better myself by going to college.”

A council spokesman said: “This is an extremely complex case. Council officers are in regular contact with Miss Marcroft and are continuing to work closely to ensure a positive outcome.”