School apologises after parents of autistic Rugby boy challenged lack of support for son's disabilities

They said Bilton School failed to make reasonable adjustments to cater for their 16-year-old autistic son, who also has ADHD.

The school was taken to the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) SEND by the parents for Disability Discrimination.

They found the school had discriminated against the student, who attended from September 2023 until his parents took him out in February 2024.

“We feel massively let down,” said the boy’s mum, who doesn’t wish to be identified.

"My son was supposed to have one-to-one support because he really needed help being in a different environment after transitioning from a specialist school.

"It wasn't structured, it wasn't consistant. It was all over the place.”

She said she fund her son curled up in a ball because he was so stressed during his time at Bilton School.

"He had to be medicated,” she added.

The boy’s mother said the whole process of tribunal took around 18 months and was “hugely stressful but necessary”.

She went on: "It is a long drawn out process where schools have access to both lawyers and barristers and most parents do not have this option.

"The school admitted failing to make reasonable adjustments around his transition into Bilton School, failed to provide an auxillary service which included 121 support from a TA within a reasonable timeframe.”

The school and parents settled a day before the tribunal in November and the school admitted Disability Discrimination by failing to make reasonable adjustments.

They also apologised to the family.

“My son was so traumastised,” the mum said.

"I had to give up work. It was so stresseful.

“Schools don’t have to disclose cases like this which I think is outrageous. I can guarantee it happens up and down the country.

"There is no requirement for schools to report Disability Discrimination and I think it is important for other parents to know what happened.

"Statistics released last week for the SEND tribunal show that disability discrimination claims are up by 12% and our experiences are common across education and that the statistical rise shows that like the SEND tribunal appeals for EHCPS which has grown exponentially over the last five years, disability discrimination claims from parents of children with SEND who meet the legal test of ‘disabled’ will continue to rise.

"I want people to know it’s OK to go up against a school. I’m sure so many parents just give up.

"My son’s doing really well now, but it’s taken a long time to get him back.”

At a short hearing last month, the parties requested the tribunal to make a consent order, setting out the agreed outcome.

Bilton School has now made a number of changes to its staff, training and provision. The SENCO and headteacher at the relevant time are no longer in post.

An ASD Champion has been appointed. Autism Awareness training has been delivered to all staff by an ASD specialist teacher and an Educational Psychologist.

We contacted Bilton School and Stowe Valley Multi Academy Trust who said: “I can confirm that the facts are correct as shared by (the parents) and I would not seek to add any comment.”