Nathan was falsely accused of sexually assaulting another student during a game of hide and seek. The school immediately presumed the allegation to be true, prior to any form of investigation and reviewing CCTV. When I collected Nathan from school I was given a handful of letters and told that Nathan could not return. I was shocked and worried. Nathan had always been an exemplary student. A friend recommended Fairest-Futures to me. I called the number and asked more questions about the exclusion appeal letter writing package and I decided to go ahead. Once I booked the consultation I was able to meet with someone from Fairest-Futures the same day and the appeal letter was submitted within 2 days. The governing body invited me to a meeting to discuss some of my concerns in the letter. My advocate from Fairest-Futures attended with me and the appeal was overturned. £150 was a small price to pay to ensure my son could continue to access mainstream education.
Nathan's Mum
Jadine has a personality disorder and hears voices. She was previously attending a mainstream school however the school found it difficult to accommodate Jadine’s needs. For example, they would ask for Jadine to not attend school when she was hearing voices and if she felt an episode was coming on she should ask to leave the school. One afternoon, I was invited to a meeting with Jadine’s personal tutor, head of year and the school’s headteacher. They explained that Jadine was disturbing lessons as she was talking very loudly to the voices she was hearing. They explained that this could not go on anymore and that she was not to return. I was not given the opportunity to appeal the decision and Jadine was left without a school. I googled what I could do to support Jadine and found Fairest-Futures. I booked a consultation immediately. A letter was drafted challenging the exclusion and requesting a meeting with the governing body. I attended a meeting with my Fairest-Futures advocate. The school exclusion was overturned and Jadine was able to continue her education there until I found a more appropriate and specialist school that could support her.
Jadine’s Foster Carer
Emmanuel got into a fight at school and was excluded as the other pupil was injured. However, the pupil who Emmanuel fought had been racially harassing Emmanuel and he had complained several times in writing (verbally and in writing) but he was dismissed. The campaign of racial abuse was not considered when excluding my son. I wanted the school to take a fairer approach and consider the mitigating circumstances. Fairest-Futures drafted an appeal letter, and the exclusion was overturned.
Emmanuel’s Dad