[senco-forum] DRC case study

Kate, 21, has endured a lot of prejudice and discrimination in her life as a  
result of her cerebral palsy, much of it within the educational system. “My  
education was quite a disaster with just a few high points in a catalogue of  
awfulness,” she explains. 
She was initially refused a place in a mainstream school, the head teacher  
telling her mother that Kate’s disability would inevitably hold her back. Her  
mother finally succeeded in placing in her in a mainstream school for year 
six,  but five years in special school had left Kate unprepared and far behind 
her  peers. 
Secondary school proved no better. “I still find it distressing to think  
about. They didn’t believe I should be there and did everything possible to  
prove it,” says Kate. “There were a few teachers who were good, but many,  
including my form tutor, were really quite nasty and adopted spiteful tactics to  
make things difficult for me.” 
Kate found herself increasingly sidelined, both educationally and socially.  “
My best friend was banned from spending time with me because she needed to 
find  “real friends” and other pupils were discouraged from being with me.” 
When  difficulties in arranging for her to be taught some key subjects arose, she 
was  advised to drop them. One by one, despite her aptitude, she was forced 
to drop  maths, science and English. She finally dropped out completely halfway 
through  year 11. She has no GCSEs, but feels she did receive an education of 
sorts. 
“Even though secondary school was horrible, I think it was a better option  
than special school. I had access to a decent curriculum and met other young  
people who had other problems, people who had suffered from homophobia, racism, 
 even abuse. It made me less obsessed with the problems associated with being 
 disabled as because I could see that other young people face difficulties as 
 well,” she says. 
Kate is now studying for a BA in Performing Arts in the Community and writes  
a monthly column for Disability Now magazine.