A BAILDON mum has expressed her devastation after special education cuts at her son’s school mean he will only be able to have 10 hours of study a week.

Dawn Peacock’s 14-year-old son Oli left mainstream education in November after finding it too intense for his autism and severe anxiety.

He was referred to TRACKS Education in Shipley, a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) where anxious and vulnerable students with social and health needs can study for GCSEs.

Oli had been upping his hours at the PRU, and was beginning to manage full days there. before joining as a full-time student in September.

But a decision by Bradford Council means he can now only take five GCSEs instead of seven.

Dawn said: “They are amazing there. When my son started he was struggling to do an hour there. He’s going on trips with them travelling in the car.

“I can’t see why you would shut down a PRU that is really needed.

“Mental health in children is deteriorating rapidly.

“I’ve waited two years thinking ‘at least he can go to the PRU, at least he can get a full time education’.”

Oli, who wants to be a scientist, had signed up to study maths, English, triple science, religious studies and German.

His concerned mum is worried that taking fewer GCSEs will lead to Oli feeling more pressure to pass all of them.

And she is not alone – with fellow mum Lisa Jenkinson equally worried.

Lisa’s daughter has been attending TRACKS, in Owlet Road, since July 2017.

Dawn said: “They’re giving more places to autism – what they’re not saying is they’re shutting down a PRU.

“The only way we could get more is if enough of the children get EHCP [education health and care plan] funding to pay for a tutor to cover another subject. But I have been waiting 60 weeks for what should have been no longer than a 20-week process.

“I’ve had to put my life on hold. I was looking forward to him having that independence.”

Mark Douglas, Bradford Council’s strategic director of Children’s Services, said: “We have been in contact with the family to reassure them that their child will receive the appropriate support to allow them to access full-time education.

“The Council has been working with the management committee and staff at TRACKS to review the way it operates. TRACKS will continue to offer support and education provision for children and young people who are too unwell to attend school and are receiving medical, clinical or hospital treatment.

“From September 2020, TRACKS will no longer be registered as a Pupil Referral Unit with Ofsted, but will form part of the Council’s wider services for children and young people who need specialist teaching support and provision.”

Shipley MP Philip Davies said he is looking into the matter. “I completely sympathise with Ms Peacock’s concerns and understand her frustration that the Council have decided to stop the funding for such an invaluable education service for young, vulnerable children.

“I have taken this up with the Council and hope that they will reconsider their decision.”