Special-needs girl off school after extra funds refused

Poppy Clayton with her parents, Matt and Janine. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Nine-year-old Poppy Clayton's multiple disorders make it impossible for her to succeed at school without a teacher aid, but the Government is refusing to pay for her extra support after September.

Poppy has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which makes her very impulsive and defiant.

Six months ago, she was also diagnosed with dyslexia, and has been suspected of having Aspergers syndrome.

The Ministry of Education said Poppy was "too high functioning" to qualify for special needs education, but her mother, Janine, says she clearly needs extra help if she is going to be in a mainstream school.

Poppy has been receiving funding through the ministry's high and complex needs programme for two years, but this will run out in September.

The ministry's special educations manager, Brian Coffey, said the funding plan was time-limited to "increase the intensity level of support, so that in the long term less support would be required by the child".

Poppy attended Laingholm Primary School in West Auckland, but was excluded last month, not long after her teacher aid moved to a new job.

The principal of Laingholm Primary School, Martyn Weatherill, said he could not comment directly on Poppy's case, but in situations like hers, "every student should get the resources they need in order to learn".

Mrs Clayton says she does not care where the money comes from, but it is clear Poppy cannot be in a mainstream school without help.

She has had to take leave from her job to care for her daughter until she can start at a new school.

"It's just horrendous," she said. "Nobody wants to take in a 9-year-old who has been excluded from her last school."

If Poppy does not find a school, Mrs Clayton will have to go on leave without pay, or Poppy will have to go to work with her father, Matt.

"She will love it, but it's not getting her an education," her mother said.

The Claytons have applied to the ministry four times for more funding through a scheme for meeting students' special education needs at school.

They were declined because Poppy did not meet the criteria.

But Mrs Clayton said there was a major problem with the system that must be recognised.

The chairwoman of the Parent and Family Resource Centre, Colleen Brown, said she heard stories like Poppy's far too frequently.

"These children are constantly being overlooked by society.

"It's wrong for parents to have to give the school their child, knowing that without the help they need, they will fail."

About 100 children receive high and complex needs funding every year.

The Government spends about $460 million each year on special education needs.