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| Kelly 'doing right thing' for son | Kelly 'doing right thing' for son |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Ex-Education Secretary Ruth Kelly has defended her decision to send her son, who has "substantial learning difficulties", to a private school. | Ex-Education Secretary Ruth Kelly has defended her decision to send her son, who has "substantial learning difficulties", to a private school. |
| She said she removed her son from a state school after professional advice recommended he be placed in a school "able to meet his particular needs". | She said she removed her son from a state school after professional advice recommended he be placed in a school "able to meet his particular needs". |
| Ms Kelly said the local authority accepted the advice, but she had not asked for any help in meeting the cost. | Ms Kelly said the local authority accepted the advice, but she had not asked for any help in meeting the cost. |
| She said: "I, like any mother, want to do the right thing for my son." | She said: "I, like any mother, want to do the right thing for my son." |
| "I appreciate that some will disagree with my decision. I understand why, but we all face difficult choices as parents." | "I appreciate that some will disagree with my decision. I understand why, but we all face difficult choices as parents." |
| I have not and will not seek the help of the local authority in meeting these costs Ruth KellyCommunities Secretary href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6240349.stm" class="">Analysis: A Labour taboo | |
| She said her three other children continued to be educated at state schools, and it had been her intention for her son to also continue in the state sector. | She said her three other children continued to be educated at state schools, and it had been her intention for her son to also continue in the state sector. |
| "The professional advice I received was that he needed specific specialist support as soon as possible." | "The professional advice I received was that he needed specific specialist support as soon as possible." |
| He would remain at the £15,000-a-year private school for "a couple of years before he begins at a state secondary school". | He would remain at the £15,000-a-year private school for "a couple of years before he begins at a state secondary school". |
| Council confidence | |
| She said it was not uncommon for pupils with substantial learning difficulties to spend some time outside the state sector to help them progress. | She said it was not uncommon for pupils with substantial learning difficulties to spend some time outside the state sector to help them progress. |
| "Sometimes this is paid for by the local authority. In my case, I have not and will not seek the help of the local authority in meeting these costs," Ms Kelly said. | "Sometimes this is paid for by the local authority. In my case, I have not and will not seek the help of the local authority in meeting these costs," Ms Kelly said. |
| Although Ms Kelly did not say where her son had attended school, Tower Hamlets Council issued a general statement about its special needs provision. | Although Ms Kelly did not say where her son had attended school, Tower Hamlets Council issued a general statement about its special needs provision. |
| "We have a strong track record in helping children with a wide range of learning needs to succeed. We recognise that every child has different needs and it is for parents to decide how these are met," the council said. | |
| "We are confident that our schools are well resourced and provide high quality education for all learners, including those with special needs." | "We are confident that our schools are well resourced and provide high quality education for all learners, including those with special needs." |
| The issue of using private education has long been a controversial area in the Labour Party. | |
| We should let people make private decisions as parents David CameronConservative leader href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6241427.stm" class="">In Full: Kelly statement href="/1/hi/uk/6241645.stm" class="">One mother's story | |
| Tony Blair's official spokesman declined to talk specifically about Ms Kelly's child. | |
| But he said the PM "supports absolutely" a parent's right to decide on schools regardless of what their job is, and that there should be a "mix of provision" of state and private schooling. | |
| He denied there was a policy of closing special needs schools, adding: "The rate of closure has slowed down under this government." | He denied there was a policy of closing special needs schools, adding: "The rate of closure has slowed down under this government." |
| Current Education Secretary Alan Johnson earlier told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he did not know enough about the case to comment in detail on it. | Current Education Secretary Alan Johnson earlier told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he did not know enough about the case to comment in detail on it. |
| But he said: "At the heart of this there's a child with educational needs... so it's a very much a personal decision based on a whole set of complex areas." | But he said: "At the heart of this there's a child with educational needs... so it's a very much a personal decision based on a whole set of complex areas." |
| 'Incumbent' | 'Incumbent' |
| And Labour MP Barry Sheerman, chairman of the Commons education select committee, said: "The state system at its best should be able to provide for every kind of special education need - but at the moment in some parts of the country that's not true." | And Labour MP Barry Sheerman, chairman of the Commons education select committee, said: "The state system at its best should be able to provide for every kind of special education need - but at the moment in some parts of the country that's not true." |
| HAVE YOUR SAY I've no problem with them sending their children private - as long as they admit the weaknesses with the state system. Paul McLoughlin, London Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY I've no problem with them sending their children private - as long as they admit the weaknesses with the state system. Paul McLoughlin, London Send us your comments |
| London's schools commissioner Tim Brighouse told the same programme that he thought it "incumbent" on those in the state education sector "to set a personal example". | London's schools commissioner Tim Brighouse told the same programme that he thought it "incumbent" on those in the state education sector "to set a personal example". |
| Conservative leader David Cameron, whose son attends a state special needs school, said: "We all have to make the decisions as parents first, not as politicians. Ruth Kelly is a parent first and foremost. | Conservative leader David Cameron, whose son attends a state special needs school, said: "We all have to make the decisions as parents first, not as politicians. Ruth Kelly is a parent first and foremost. |
| "My son is at a state special school, but I totally understand that sometimes things can go wrong and you have got to make the right decision for yourself as a parent." | "My son is at a state special school, but I totally understand that sometimes things can go wrong and you have got to make the right decision for yourself as a parent." |
| He added: "Some people will say it's hypocritical - it would be hypocritical if they were in favour of abolishing private education, but Labour I don't think are in favour of abolishing private education - so I think we should let people make private decisions as parents." | He added: "Some people will say it's hypocritical - it would be hypocritical if they were in favour of abolishing private education, but Labour I don't think are in favour of abolishing private education - so I think we should let people make private decisions as parents." |
| Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Sarah Teather said: "It's unfair to criticise a parent for choices they make for their individual child. | Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Sarah Teather said: "It's unfair to criticise a parent for choices they make for their individual child. |
| "Lots of parents find themselves in the same position, with local services unable to provide their children with the support they need. | "Lots of parents find themselves in the same position, with local services unable to provide their children with the support they need. |
| "Ministers would do well to learn from their colleague's experience. We need a state system that caters for all pupils' needs, however special." | "Ministers would do well to learn from their colleague's experience. We need a state system that caters for all pupils' needs, however special." |