'I just don't think it is fair:' son with special needs blocked from school bus (From Enfield Independent)

'I just don't think it is fair:' son with special needs blocked from school bus

5:30pm Wednesday 12th September 2012 in News By Hermione Wright

A mother is calling for action after her son with special needs is no longer permitted to travel on his school bus.

Alfie Burroughs, eight, who is dyslexic, has travelled on a school bus for the past three years to get to Russet House School, in Autumn Close, which teaches children with special needs.

However, Enfield Council told his mother Fiona that because Alfie lives within three miles of his school, he will have to use public transport.

Ms Burroughs, who lives in  Tysoe Avenue, which is 2.1miles away from the school, said: “Alfie is so distressed. He always sees the bus after school and wants to get on it but he can’t – it is really hard for him as he doesn’t understand why.

“I just don’t think it is fair.”

Although there are closer schools to the Burroughs’ home – such as the Prince of Wales Primary School, in Salisbury Road, Alfie needs to study at Russet House because of his learning needs.

Ms Burroughs, who is a stay-at-home mother, now has to travel with Alfie on two public buses to make sure he is safe and does not get lost on his way to school.  

The journey, which took 45 minutes on the school bus, has been almost doubled – often taking an hour-and-a-half to arrive at school.

Alfie has been late for school most days since his transport arrangements have changed, and she is concerned the situation will start affecting his education.

She said: “I am going out four times a day now picking him up, it was so much easier before. It is more to do with him than me; it is his little life that has been affected.

“It is costing my son time as school – we are turning up late because of this, it’s horrific.”

Ms Burroughs must now pay £72.20 for a monthly pass for her and her son, which the council will reimburse each month. 

She said she wrote to Enfield Council yesterday begging for her son’s situation to be reconsidered.

The Enfield Independent is waiting for a comment from Enfield Council.