Boy with special needs has place at King John School confirmed

The King John School, in Thundersley, initially told mum Kate Charles there was no record of son Harley Castell’s place for September, having raised concerns staff may not be able to meet his additional needs.

However after the Echo investigated the situation, relieved mum Kate has now been assured in writing that Harley has a place at the King John School.

The 29-year-old from Leigh, said: “I am thankful that Harley got his secondary school place and that the situation has now been rectified.

“Thank you to the Echo for their help as I am unsure how long I would’ve been waiting otherwise. Harley is very pleased.”

To her relief, she received a letter on Saturday from The King John School - although it was dated March 2020 - to confirm Harley had a place and advising on what the next steps would be.

There were forms attached which Miss Charles was required to fill out and send back by March 27 - almost four months prior.

The mum-of-two is still no closer to understanding why Harley’s place was rejected, adding: “King John did not initially hold a place for Harley as they advised they had replied to Southend Council turning down the initial place.

“I am unsure whether they replied in the allocated time frame or whether it was just paperwork issues due to Covid. I am honestly unsure as to why this happened.”

The Echo reported Miss Charles’ shock earlier this month after she got a phone call from Harley’s primary school, Hadleigh Junior School, in May, advising The King John School had told them there was no record of Harley’s place for September, despite Miss Charles having received a letter from Southend Council in February stating that Harley had secured a place at his chosen school.

King John emailed Miss Charles after she made several calls to find out why her son was without a school, to say the school would not be suitable for Harley’s needs, which are around speech and language.