Shy youngster who struggles to speak is left heartbroken after being told she must move schools
A little girl with a rare condition that means she can barely speak above a whisper has been left distraught after being told that she has to move schools.
Four-year-old Ellie Dixon has recurrent respiratory papillomas which causes growths on her vocal chords and larynx and means she has to have surgery every six to eight weeks.
The youngster, who also gets out of breath easily, was shy until she started atIrlamprimary school’s nursery where mum Rachel Lynch says her confidence has soared over the past year.
But the family are now facing another setback afterSalford councilrefused her a place at Irlam primary and told her she must move to Fiddlers Lane Community Primary School in September instead.
Rachel, 23, who lost an appeal against the decision, says she is on a waiting list in case places become available at Irlam - but fears Ellie may miss out and retreat even further into her shell.
She said: “She is already a quiet and shy person and if she moves I worry that she will lose even more confidence. When I told her about the decision she cried and cried.
“She will have to settle into a new school with her medical condition and I don’t think she will be able to concentrate. The staff at Irlam know her medical needs.
“She needs surgery every six to eight weeks and I don’t want her disrupted any more.
“I’m planning on home schooling her now, that’s what I might have to do. I will fight this in the hope that they will reconsider.”
Ellie, from Marlborough Road, Irlam, has had the condition from birth and needs regular surgery to remove the growths and clear the airways.
Without treatment the condition, caused by a virus affecting the throat, is potentially fatal because uncontrolled growths could obstruct the airways.
It is hoped that by the age of 10 she will no longer need surgery if her immune system can fight off the virus.
Coun John Merry said: “Ellieis on the waiting list in case a place becomes available at Irlam primary school by December 31.
“Ellie’s medical condition was not mentioned on the original application and we were only made aware of it after she was offered a place at Fiddlers
Lane. She was offered a place there because Irlam primary school was over subscribed.
“Her needs were assessed through our independent process by our medical panel, which comprises a member of the council’s school health team,
acommunity paediatrician, an educational psychologist, three primary school headteachers and the school admissions manager.
“They concluded Ellie’s needs can be met by any other school.”
Ellie's family have made this petition for the localauthority to realise that the have made a mistake in assessing Ellie's medical needs. She has settled in Irlam Primray and moving her into a new school woud only set her back. We urge people to please sign this petiton and share with friends and family. Thank you
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
August 8, 2014
August 8, 2014
Seeing this much energy behind Ellie is honestly overwhelming and I keep refreshing the page just to make sure it is actually happening because my heart is pounding so hard right now. This momentum is exactly what she needs and it shows that people really do care about keeping her in a place where she feels safe and understood. I am struggling to find the right words but please know that this support is felt deeply by the whole family.
Reached 100 supporters
August 7, 2014
6 Comments
Ridiculous decision. Let the girl stay where she is happy and safe.
This is just cruel. She is only four! Why would anyone want to disrupt a little girl who has already been through so much medical treatment?
Leave her where she is. Switching schools is hard enough without having to deal with health issues too. Use some common sense council.
I hope they rethink this. Moving her now would be a huge mistake she finally started to come out of her shell.
SHE IS 4 YEARS OLD. stop moving these kids around like pawns on a chess board. she needs stability not stress.
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Shy youngster who struggles to speak is left heartbroken after being told she must move schools
A little girl with a rare condition that means she can barely speak above a whisper has been left distraught after being told that she has to move schools.
Four-year-old Ellie Dixon has recurrent respiratory papillomas which causes growths on her vocal chords and larynx and means she has to have surgery every six to eight weeks.
The youngster, who also gets out of breath easily, was shy until she started atIrlamprimary school’s nursery where mum Rachel Lynch says her confidence has soared over the past year.
But the family are now facing another setback afterSalford councilrefused her a place at Irlam primary and told her she must move to Fiddlers Lane Community Primary School in September instead.
Rachel, 23, who lost an appeal against the decision, says she is on a waiting list in case places become available at Irlam - but fears Ellie may miss out and retreat even further into her shell.
She said: “She is already a quiet and shy person and if she moves I worry that she will lose even more confidence. When I told her about the decision she cried and cried.
“She will have to settle into a new school with her medical condition and I don’t think she will be able to concentrate. The staff at Irlam know her medical needs.
“She needs surgery every six to eight weeks and I don’t want her disrupted any more.
“I’m planning on home schooling her now, that’s what I might have to do. I will fight this in the hope that they will reconsider.”
Ellie, from Marlborough Road, Irlam, has had the condition from birth and needs regular surgery to remove the growths and clear the airways.
Without treatment the condition, caused by a virus affecting the throat, is potentially fatal because uncontrolled growths could obstruct the airways.
It is hoped that by the age of 10 she will no longer need surgery if her immune system can fight off the virus.
Coun John Merry said: “Ellieis on the waiting list in case a place becomes available at Irlam primary school by December 31.
“Ellie’s medical condition was not mentioned on the original application and we were only made aware of it after she was offered a place at Fiddlers
Lane. She was offered a place there because Irlam primary school was over subscribed.
“Her needs were assessed through our independent process by our medical panel, which comprises a member of the council’s school health team,
acommunity paediatrician, an educational psychologist, three primary school headteachers and the school admissions manager.
“They concluded Ellie’s needs can be met by any other school.”
Ellie's family have made this petition for the localauthority to realise that the have made a mistake in assessing Ellie's medical needs. She has settled in Irlam Primray and moving her into a new school woud only set her back. We urge people to please sign this petiton and share with friends and family. Thank you
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
August 8, 2014
August 8, 2014
Seeing this much energy behind Ellie is honestly overwhelming and I keep refreshing the page just to make sure it is actually happening because my heart is pounding so hard right now. This momentum is exactly what she needs and it shows that people really do care about keeping her in a place where she feels safe and understood. I am struggling to find the right words but please know that this support is felt deeply by the whole family.
Reached 100 supporters
August 7, 2014
6 Comments
Poor baby. My heart breaks for her. Let her stay with the teachers that already understand her condition. Shame on them.
Ridiculous decision. Let the girl stay where she is happy and safe.
This is just cruel. She is only four! Why would anyone want to disrupt a little girl who has already been through so much medical treatment?
Leave her where she is. Switching schools is hard enough without having to deal with health issues too. Use some common sense council.
I hope they rethink this. Moving her now would be a huge mistake she finally started to come out of her shell.
SHE IS 4 YEARS OLD. stop moving these kids around like pawns on a chess board. she needs stability not stress.
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Poor baby. My heart breaks for her. Let her stay with the teachers that already understand her condition. Shame on them.