by Lynn Cox

As children go back to school this week, one teenager won’t be returning to the classroom.

William Brown has not been in class for the past six months after he had to leave his former school because of behavioural issues.

His mum, Jennifer Arthy,corr decided she would try to home school the 13-year-old, who suffers from attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (OFF), until she could get him enrolled at another school.

However, six months after he left Aylesford Sports College, a place at a Medway school has still not been found for William.

Jennifer had applied for him to go to Strood Academy or, as a second choice, Thomas Aveling, but despite liaising with Medway Council to try and get him back in class, a place has still not been found.

The 39-year-old, who lives on a houseboat at Cuxton Marina, in Station Road, said: “William did have behavioural issues at his last school, but then he was diagnosed with ADHD and ODD and was put on medication.

“The medication takes some time to kick in but after being on it just a week, it was felt it was best for him to leave rather than being asked to leave as then it would not look bad on his school record. I agreed and signed the form, but didn’t realise it would take so long to find another school, no one explained to me that they were academies and that it’s up to them if they don’t want to take a child.”

Medway Council said it is attempting to find a place for William at another academy.

Jennifer admits William did have behavioural problems but she feels he was misunderstood by his former teachers and since he has been taking the medication, his behaviour has improved.

Jennifer added: “I’ve tried to home school him, but it’s hard, he’s itching to get back to school and misses his friends.

“He needs to get in a school soon as he’s missing vital learning, I just want to find him a place as soon as possible.

“He’s a polite boy who does have some problems, but he deserves to go to school.

"If the shoe was on the other foot and I had not sent him to school for six months, I would be in prison by now.”

A Medway Council spokesman said: “We would urge parents not to take their children out of school without having arranged a place at another.

“Even if the family are moving to a new area – which is not the case in this instance – parents should plan ahead as it may be difficult, or we may be unable to find a place in a school they want straight away.

“We have asked Strood Academy if they can take this child, but they have said they are unable to.

“We are now attempting to place the child with another academy in Medway.
“Although the mother had agreed to home school her child until a place was found, this is not ideal as parents do need to keep to a full curriculum to ensure this is achieved, which can be difficult.

“For most secondary schools in the area now, Medway Council no longer acts as the admissions authority, as the majority have become independent academies.

“But we do co-ordinate the admissions for all schools. It is the individual school’s decision to take, or state if they are unable to take, a pupil seeking a place.”