A Knaresborough man has raised concerns following ongoing issues with North Yorkshire Council about his autistic son’s education.

Stephen Coe’s twin sons, Magnus and Felix, are both autistic and have been given an education, health and care plan (EHCP) – which supports those with special educational needs (SEND).

After completing mainstream primary school, Mr Coe hoped the 12-year-old twins would both be accepted into The Forest School, in Knaresborough, which only caters for those with special needs and an EHCP.

However, he was shocked to discover only Magnus had received a place.

Following an assessment of Felix’s standard assessment tests (SATs), North Yorkshire Council found him to only have mild learning difficulties and he was too able to attend a special educational needs and disabilities school, Mr Coe added.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“Magnus was accepted into The Forest School, and he loves it.

“The council, however, told us that Felix is too able to attend Forest, despite his SATs results actually being worse than Magnus’s.”

Mr Coe also said the council suggested Felix would be able to attend King James’s School in Knaresborough, despite the school saying it could not cater to his needs.

“I have had to take unpaid leave from work to look after Felix, as I refuse to send him to a mainstream school that has said since October 2022 that they cannot meet his needs, following multiple assessments there – a decision that, we as parents, support.

“King James’s has been honest and fair throughout.”

The Forest School has since told Mr Coe that it is now full and could not give Felix a place.

Felix has been out of full-time education since July this year. Although his father is trying to provide him with sufficient at-home education, he added “quite frankly, I’m not a teacher.”

Mr Coe added:

“All I’m asking is for my son’s rights to be observed – he needs stability.

“Other than the staff King James’s, not one person that has made this decision for him, has even met him in person.”

The council awarded £700 in compensation for “mismanagement of process” following a complaint by Mr Coe but he is now escalating it to a tribunal.

He will face the local authorities next February.

North Yorkshire Council told the Stray Ferret that “all SEND admissions follow the national requirements outlined in the SEND Code of Practice 2015.”

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Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Seven Harrogate law firms have been included in the Legal 500 Guide for 2023.

Berwins, LCF Law, McCormicks and Raworths are all listed across a number of areas of law, including corporate and commercial, employment and private client work.

Harrogate Family Law and Stowe Family Law are listed for their work in this area, with Raworths, LCF Law and McCormicks also included.

McCormicks is mentioned for its sports law, Berwins for its IT and telecoms law provision, and Hempsons for its work in healthcare and with charities.

The latest version of the guide was welcomed by Raworths, whose managing partner Simon Morris, pictured above, said:

“We’re extremely proud to be recognised once again in the Legal 500 Guide, as this cements our reputation as one of the leading law firms based in the north of England delivering a genuinely integrated service to business and private clients.

“The guide highlights our commitment to delivering a high-quality service through our genuine team approach. We feel that our personal approach to looking after our clients sets us apart, and it certainly has helped us to build trusted, longstanding relationships with our growing client portfolio.

“Half of our lawyers are referenced in the guide across various practice areas, which is a testament to their knowledge and skills. It is particularly gratifying as the results are based on independent feedback and reiterates our approach which puts clients first.”

Chief executive Paul Berwin said he was particularly pleased the guide described Berwins’ support for clients, adding:

“I am naturally delighted to see the firm recognised in this way. We have some outstanding lawyers and it is a testament to them that their teams have been recognised as regional leaders.

“Essential though this deep expertise is to the way we support clients, what is particularly pleasing to see is the way the guide have identified Berwins’ high standards of service.

“From day one, we have had two overriding mantras – that care for the client is paramount and that, if we cannot do something well, we won’t do it at all. This outstanding directory recognition, built as it is on the feedback of clients and commentators, affirms the fact that we are being successful in both.”

The prestigious guide, which lists the top legal practices for each region of the UK, is independently researched and uses data from in-house peers.

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Late businessman behind coach donation to Knaresborough special school

A school in Knaresborough has been given a coach thanks to the generosity of a late businessman.

The Forest School received a special Variety Sunshine Coach in memory of Paul Ziff, a Yorkshire philanthropist who was a lifelong supporter and former regional chairman of Variety.

The children’s charity has helped to provide more than 5,700 coaches for SEND schools and other non-profit organisations working with disabled and disadvantaged children and young people across the UK since it was founded in 1949.

At The Forest School, 94% of pupils have speech, language and communication needs, and the specially-adapted minibus will give them the chance to visit new places and gain experiences which will support their development.

Mr Ziff’s widow Lea said:

“Paul had a lifelong passion to help others, and in particular to champion young people and unlock their full potential, no matter what their circumstances or disabilities. That’s why he was so dedicated to working tirelessly for Variety for so many years, having the same aims at heart.

“I chose Forest School to be the recipient of this sunshine coach, as Paul himself suffered from severe aphasia for 20 years so we both knew how challenging language and communication impairments can be.

“I really hope this bright new sunshine coach will broaden horizons for all the children at Forest School and give them the freedom and opportunity to experience many wonderful  educational and recreational days out.”

Paul Ziff’s widow Lea hands over the Sunshine Coach keys to The Forest School

Paul James, co-headteacher at The Forest School, said:

“We are extremely grateful to our sponsor and Variety, the Children’s Charity for providing a Sunshine Coach.

“A donation such as this means our pupils will benefit for many years to come by having transport to allow them to take part in opportunities such as horse riding, swimming, learning in the community, theatre visits and school residentials. Thank you so much.”

Mr Ziff was made chairman of the Leeds committee of Variety from 1975 and continued his support for the charity until his death in 2020, aged 84. As well as helping to organise coaches for schools across the region, he set up numerous events including the sportsman of the year dinner and the first ever woman of the year awards.

Two women from Knaresborough have shaved their heads to fundraise for The Forest School in Knaresborough – the school supports children with additional needs.

Sarah Bennington and Michelle Czupcyck both work at the school and wanted to do their bit to raise much needed funds. The school is in need of new playground equipment and additional sports facilities.

The women shaved their heads today at the school.

The pair had hopes to raise £500 but have already surpassed that by raising an additional £100.

To support their efforts, click here.

Children at The Forest School, Knaresborough.

Sarah Bennington sacrificed her blue locks for the cause. She has worked at the school for eight years, she said:

“We decided to do Brave the Shave to raise money for the playground equipment. The kids at this school are fantastic and deserve everything we can raise money to get for them.

“The many questions we get asked are why shaving your hair? My answer to that is you only live once; my hair will grow back and for me I will be interested in what colour it will grow back as my hair is always different colours.”

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• One Harrogate charity is offering internships to members of the deaf community for its cafe opening next year. 

The school’s headteacher, Michelle Farr, thanked the women for their efforts saying the impact on the children with access to the new equipment will be “immense”.

She said:

“The staff never cease to amaze me with their dedication and support for our pupils. Sarah and Michelle decided they wanted to help our fundraising campaign by Braving the Shave and I am extremely grateful to them.

“Some of our play equipment failed a safety test and had to be removed, and some of our playground was reduced due to building additional classrooms. The redevelopment will allow the children to play and socialise independently in a safe environment.”