DON’T EXCLUDE OUR KIDS
Mary Russell parents’ fury over camp ruling
Parents have demanded to know why their children with additional support needs aren’t being included in school holiday camps.
Mums and dads claim children from Mary Russell School, in Hawkhead Road, Paisley, aren’t eligible for the new camps for youngsters with additional support needs being run by Renfrewshire Council and Renfrewshire Leisure during the Easter and summer holidays.
Now they’ve demanded to know why their children are being excluded.
Marie Cadenhead’s son Jack has global development delay disorder and has been at Mary Russell School for the last six years.
She said: “I’ve been involved in the parents working group with the council which was set up when the Capability Scotland summer camps stopped.
“It’s great that the children from Riverbrae are getting Easter and summer camps, but, again, the children from Mary Russell are missing out.
“I’ve been told it’s because the needs of the children who attend Mary Russell aren’t as complex as the kids who attend the other schools.
“They said our children can go to mainstream holiday camps.
“Our children all have additional support needs, there’s no differentiation between them.
“If the council thinks they can attend mainstream holiday camps, why can’t they attend mainstream schools?”
Marie is on a Facebook group with other parents from the school and said many other parents feel that their children are being left out.
She added: “Mary Russell isn’t a small school, it takes children from age five right through to secondary — it’s a big school roll.
“There are a lot of parents upset about this.”
A spokesperson for Renfrewshire Council said: “Renfrewshire Council currently provides a registered day care service for children attending Riverbrae School and two communication bases.
“Unfortunately, the service isn’t available to children who attend Mary Russell School.
“Children who attend Mary Russell should be able to access holiday camps provided by Renfrewshire Leisure.
“We encourage parents to contact Renfrewshire Leisure and speak to the booking team to ensure that the activities are suitable for their child”.