A teenager who achieved a top grade in his Spanish GCSE has been barred from studying the subject at A-Level because he failed maths.
Finley Lamb, 17, was born with autism, severe scoliosis, and several brain abnormalities. Doctors in his early years believed he might never walk or talk. Despite this, he attended Woodchurch High School, a mainstream school, and passed seven GCSEs, including a Grade 9 (equivalent to a high A* in the old system) in Spanish, his favourite subject.
Finley, from the Wirral, Merseyside, was looking forward to studying Spanish at A-Level at Birkenhead Sixth Form College (BSFC). His mother, Sara O'Donnell, 48, said he has a flair for the language.
Place withdrawn after maths result
According to Sara, Finley was initially offered a place on the course even though the sixth form knew he was expected to fail maths. However, his spot was withdrawn after he officially received a U grade in the subject.
Sara, a specialist therapist who works on developmental movement in children, said: "We told the school that he was working at a U level and was predicted a U, and they told me Finley has a spot only for them to change their minds."
She added: "Due to Fin's conditions, he struggles with math I have worked with him for hours, but they just don't work for him. My son is now a NEET through no fault of his own - it is not fair. Finley has demonstrated that he has the ability, determination and passion to succeed in Spanish."
Call for flexibility
Sara argues that entry requirements should be considered alongside other factors for young people with SEND. She said: "We understand that Maths is important and we are not asking for standards to be lowered. What we are asking is whether there should be some flexibility where a young person has SEND, where there is a clear pattern of strengths and where the subject that is causing the difficulty is not relevant to their intended progression."
She continued: "Finley is not asking for something to be handed to him. He wants to continue his education, study Spanish and work towards university. It is incredibly difficult to understand how a single GCSE result can potentially bring that pathway to an end."
Sara says Spanish is "his dream" and he aims to read Hispanic studies at university and possibly become a translator. Finley passed Food Technology with a grade 4 and achieved five other grade 3s.
Legal duties and responses
Sara claims the sixth form has a legal responsibility to provide an education for Finley, since it is named on his legally binding Education Health Care Plan. She also alleges Wirral Local Authority has refused to use its own legal power to direct the college to fulfil its duties.
She said: "It feels as though one grade has become more important than everything else he has achieved." She proposed: "My proposal is that they admit Fin and if after one term there are any problems we can review the plan. If they still feel it's not an appropriate place for him to study they can put forward a proposal to remove themselves."
A spokesperson for Birkenhead Sixth Form College said: "We are unable to comment on individual applicants. However, we work closely with the local authority to ensure that young people are supported in identifying appropriate next steps in their education."
A Wirral Council spokesperson said: "For understandable reasons, the local authority cannot comment on specific young people's circumstances or cases. It is always disappointing for young people when they do not achieve their expected grades, especially where that may affect the course, school or college they were expecting to attend. However, where this is the case Wirral Council works with young people and their families to consider the options available and ensure appropriate next steps are identified to support the young person to achieve their educational outcomes."
