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Autistic Eastchurch Primary School pupil might miss trip due to his 'needs not being met'

A young lad with autism may miss out on his last primary school trip if his needs cannot be met to keep him safe.

Finley Judges, a Year 6 pupil at the Eastchurch C of E Primary School's St Clement site in Leysdown, lives with autism, Tourette syndrome, anxiety and low muscle tone.

Finley Judges attends the Eastchurch Church of England Primary School at the St Clement site
Finley Judges attends the Eastchurch Church of England Primary School at the St Clement site

As a result of his mental health, the 11-year-old struggles at school.

However, when a July adventure weekend away was planned for him and his classmates, Finley was thrilled at the thought.

Mum Emma says she has contacted the school on numerous occasions but the little boy still hasn't been given an answer on whether or not he will be able to attend due to his special needs.

The 39-year-old Warden Bay resident said: "There have been times when Finley couldn't go to school because of his anxiety and he wasn't getting the support he needed from the school.

"He was off school for quite a bit of time and has been under the mental health team due to how much his mental health has impacted him due to the stress of school.

Finley Judges and his mum, Emma, from Warden Bay
Finley Judges and his mum, Emma, from Warden Bay

"But then for him to find out that he might not be able to go on his last primary school trip because they can't accommodate him I think was the icing on the cake for him.

"It was a trip to do with team building basically – an adventure weekend of abseiling and climbing.

"He was really excited about it when the letter came out and I said it was fine for him to go but I'd need to see if the school could cater for his needs."

Full-time carer Emma first contacted the school in November and asked if they'd be in a position to give him his medication and all the extra support he'd need due to his anxiety.

She said: "Since I first contacted them all I keep getting told is that they'll look into it, and because they can't give me a straight answer I've missed the first payment deadline.

The Eastchurch C of E Primary School's St Clement site at Leysdown
The Eastchurch C of E Primary School's St Clement site at Leysdown

"He wanted to go on this trip and that was a good thing because he's never had that positive outlook with school and it was something encouraging."

The Year 6 pupils are set to attend the Kingswood adventure centre in Kennington, Ashford, from Friday, July 7, until Monday, July 10.

Since the trip was announced at the end of last year, Emma claims she has spoken to the school's special needs co-ordinator (SENCO) three times and the head teacher twice.

After getting no response, Finley decided to write a letter about how he felt.

He said: "I feel that I need to speak out to try and help others as we do not get noticed or the support we need in our local area.

Finley Judges has autism and an anxiety disorder
Finley Judges has autism and an anxiety disorder

"I want to say how this has made me feel – a school trip that is for building our self-esteem and confidence has made me feel isolated, not included and that it has made me feel less confident and left out because of my disabilities.

"I thought schools are meant to include all children and make sure they can cater for all children before arranging a school trip.

"I have been left out and not included all because I have disabilities. I am very upset and angry."

Eastchurch Primary School's St Clement's site
Eastchurch Primary School's St Clement's site

It was only after Finley wrote the letter and his mum told the school that she'd be contacting KentOnline that staff said they would try to accommodate him.

A spokesman said: “We are a nurturing and inclusive school that supports our pupils to grow and flourish.

“We have spoken to the family to find out whether a parent could attend the residential with our pupil.

"We have also contacted the venue to establish what arrangements could be made to ensure the trip is as inclusive as possible."

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