A SEVERELY dyslexic boy who was refused a place at a specialist facility is "exhausted and overwhelmed" by life at his new secondary school, says his mother.
Last month, the Advertiser reported that 11-year-old Rory Kinloch was told he could not attend a school for dyslexic children less than two miles from his home in Leigh.
Rory has been at The Priory, in Dorking, for the last three weeks, but has only been able to attend a handful of lessons due to his worsening chronic fatigue – which his mother, Charlotte, says is caused by stress.
"His chronic fatigue is much worse, he is much more tired," she said. "He went back for three days after half term and just two days last week. We are trying later starts but he really is getting worse and he is making mistakes because he is so exhausted."
In September, an independent tribunal ruled in favour of Surrey County Council and said Rory should attend The Priory, but Mrs Kinloch has lodged an appeal.
"The Priory are being very good, they are picking up on his symptoms," she said. "They are attentive and observant and have removed him from lessons when he has been unwell. The quality of care has been of a high level.
"But they are still a large, mainstream school that cannot provide the specialist environment and teaching that Rory needs.
"The large classes, large site and days made longer by travel time are all additional burdens.
"Without the reduction in these stresses, we feel Rory's chronic fatigue will continue to deteriorate and that he will struggle to access any education at all."
Mrs Kinloch, who has written to the chairman of the county council, fears she might have to take Rory out of school for good.
A county council spokeswoman said: "An independent tribunal supported our decision regarding Rory. His mother appealed again to the High Tribunal but this appeal was also dismissed.
"Rory started at The Priory on October 23 and up until November 26 his attendance was 52.5 per cent. We have arranged for a taxi to bring him into school later in the mornings to make it easier for him to attend."
