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Kelly 'doing right thing' for son Kelly 'doing right thing' for son
(about 5 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 had 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 had accepted the advice, but she had not asked for any help with 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." 'Difficult choices'
She added: "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 Analysis: A Labour taboo Q&A: Special educationI have not and will not seek the help of the local authority in meeting these costs Ruth KellyCommunities Secretary Analysis: A Labour taboo Q&A: Special education
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. Ms Kelly added that her three other children continued to be educated at state schools, and it had been her intention for her son to do so.
"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 confidenceCouncil 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. Ms Kelly 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 she did not say where her son had attended school, Tower Hamlets Council issued a 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 all have to make the decisions as parents first 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
"We are confident that our schools are well resourced and provide high quality education for all learners, including those with special needs." It reads: "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. However, Baroness Warnock, one of the architects of the special needs system, said support for children with learning difficulties in mainstream state schools was often "extremely inadequate".
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 She added: "Partly, people come and go. And partly, if the child seems to be making progress, then the support is removed and, of course, then the child slips back."
The issue of private education has long been controversial within the Labour Party.
Tony Blair's official spokesman declined to talk specifically about Ms Kelly's child.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. But he said the prime minister "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."
Labour's Chief Whip Jacqui Smith said that "the vast majority of people in Parliament and in the country understand that when you're a parent the most important for you is to do the right thing for the child and their needs and that is what Ruth Kelly is doing." 'Personal decision'
She dismissed any suggestions that the education system was failing children with special needs, as many were being helped, including "a considerable" number in the independent sector. Labour's Chief Whip Jacqui Smith said "the vast majority of people in Parliament and in the country" understood that doing "the right thing for the child" was the most important thing for parents.
"Children with special needs... are doing very, very well, both in mainstream schools and in the increasing number of special units that we have alongside mainstream schools and the continuing numbers of special schools when more children are being educated than five years ago." Education Secretary Alan Johnson 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."
Current Education Secretary Alan Johnson earlier told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "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'
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 commentsHAVE 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". But 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."
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. London's schools commissioner Tim Brighouse said it was "incumbent" on those in the state education sector "to set a personal example".
"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." 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."
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.
"Ministers would do well to learn from their colleague's experience. We need a state system that caters for all pupils' needs, however special."