Government's Response
Campaigning for...
Early School Intervention: assessment and provision for premature children - those born before 37 weeks of completed pregnancy.
Our letter to Sir Peter Tapsell, MP - 29/01/2008
Extract:
"1): We believe the Government should provide the option for all premature children, born before 37 weeks to start primary school a year later, they are already considering this for August born children. Children are individuals and develop along different paths, however starting school a year later would take away much of the uncertainty and help remove the burden on local authorities (SEN).
2): We would like to see early educational assessments for premature children, so that delays in cognitive development can be picked up much sooner and provisions made.
Grace's case isn't unique, many parents struggle with local authorities when trying to get extra provision for their children".
Prematurity
Premature babies are those born more than three weeks early (37 weeks). Some babies survive as early as 23 weeks (17 weeks early).
Their tiny bodies do not have the chance to develop properly, prematurity can lead to lung problems, hydrocephalus, digestive disorders, circulatory problems, growth restriction, learning difficulties, mobility problems, cerebral palsy, blindness, hearing and speech disorders that can mean serious health problems for the rest of their lives.
Reply from the Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families
Rt Hon Beverley Hughes MP to Sir Peter Tapsell (our local MP) - 26/02/2008
Extract:
“The Secretary of State has asked Sir Jim Rose, as part of the primary curriculum review, to explore whether changes to the current rules governing entry to primary schools are needed, to provide parents with greater flexibility to choose when their children start primary school; and to ensure that summer-born children are adequately assessed and not disadvantaged by being offered less time in schooling. The report on the primary curriculum review is due to be published in 2009. The issue of prematurity is something I am sure we can consider when we look at Sir Jim's findings.
As to the family's question about SEN and consideration by the Select Committee. As you might know, this has in fact happened fairly recently. The Children, Schools and Families Select Committee published its report: The Educational Needs – Assessment and Funding, on 25 October 2007, and published the Government's response on 4 February 2008.
Beverley Hughes”.
We thank the Government for allowing us to publish the above document
27th March 2008
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Support Site for Premature Children
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