A MUM of triplets is scared that her daughter with special needs will be forced to attend a mainstream school that cannot support her.

All three of Amina Amawi’s children were given secondary school places at Lawn Manor Academy despite the fact two of them currently study at schools with extensive special needs provisions.

Amina took her daughter Tara out of Drove Primary School after months of difficulties and she then settled happily into Millbrook Primary. But now Amina is worried that pushing her back into a mainstream setting will cause a relapse.

Amina said: “It’s insane. How is a child working at a Year 3 level and needing physiotherapy going to survive at a mainstream high school? These people are mad and my child will suffer because of their incapable decision-making.

“Tara went through hell, she was excluded repeatedly because there were major behaviour issues and the staff didn’t know how to deal with her. She’s autistic with severe learning difficulties and she hated going to that school so much she was aggressive to me in the mornings. It was horrible, like watching your child break every day, so I fought to move her to Millbrook, where she changed completely.

“They’re like miracle workers. They gave her hope and confidence and I had my daughter back at last. Going back to a mainstream school would destroy her. I never want to put her in that position again.”

Karen Pyman, head of Millbrook Primary School said: “It’s our professional judgment that Tara would not be able to cope in a mainstream school and her needs would not be met. ”

Amina added: “Crowdy’s Hill would be ideal for Tara and that’s what I’d applied for but I’m losing the will to live. It’s been such a battle and Lawn Manor has been very honest and supportive, they even admitted that they would not be able to support Tara’s needs if she did go.”

The Adver has seen correspondence between Amina and Lawn Manor to support this claim. Headteacher Sandra Muir said: "'All Swindon schools take part in a consultation process in conjunction with the local authority to ascertain if they can meet need for pupils with an Education Health and Care Plans as part of the admissions process. This involves carefully examining the detailed educational needs of the child outlined in the EHCP to reach a decision. Lawn Manor Academy prides itself on being an inclusive school with extensive support for our pupils with SEN."

Tara’s brother Zayn has cerebral palsy and is wheelchair-bound. His school place was moved from Lawn Manor to Uplands School. Tara’s sister Layla can attend the academy with no issues.

A Swindon Borough Council spokesman said: “There has been considerable engagement between Mrs Amawi and our special needs team concerning the placement of her daughter Tara. All secondary schools have SEN departments so there is support for special needs in all schools. Although Mrs Amawi may not have got the placement she wants for her daughter, she has a legal right of appeal as do all parents in her position. Swindon does have extensive provision for special needs including seven special schools and 13 specialist resource provisions which is much higher than similar sized local authorities. There is some excellent provision in schools led by headteachers and their SENCOs where children with special needs can learn alongside their peers, which many parents prefer.”

Amina notified the council that she wanted to appeal.