THE parents of a disabled girl claim Newport council told them she cannot go to her chosen school because it will cost too much to make the school safe for her.

Little Summerlily Hudd, four, from Rogerstone, has spina bifida and has been confined to a wheelchair all her young life.

She was meant to start school today (Mon), at Mount Pleasant school, had already visited the school and had been accepted, but her parents claim they were told a week or two before the summer holidays that she can no longer attend the school because of her disability.

Her dad, Chris Hudd, said: “We were told by someone in the education department she can’t because will cost £80,000 to make school safe for her, to put the ramps in and all that.”

A council spokeswoman said: “Newport City Council takes the needs of all our students very seriously.

“Where it has been identified that a child has significant and complex special needs the council works with families and professionals to fully assess the individual. This can lead to a formal

Statement of Special Educational Needs which details exactly what support the child requires. This can include access to buildings and particular help with accessing learning and play opportunities.

“We will always try to meet both the needs and wishes of the family and we have several schools across the city that have excellent facilities and the specialist experience of working with children with additional requirements.

“There is an obligation on the council to make reasonable adjustments to school buildings, and options are always considered. These are dependent on the specific needs of the child and the extent to which a building can meet the present and future needs of the child.

“As in all cases, working with the family to complete a full statutory assessment will enable us to find the best possible solution for the child.”

But mum Amy disagrees. She said: “I do not want to her to go to special school she more than capable of being in a mainstream school. There is nothign wrong with her mind, she is just like any other four year old. They say it’s her ability to get round the classroom that’s a problem, but not everything is accessible and she has to learn how to deal with these difficult situations and manoeuvres.

“She is very determined- they told us she wouldn’t be able to sit up or stand and she can do both – so being with children who are capable and able makes her challenge herself, which is why I don’t want to stick her in a school where everything is made easy for her. I feel like I’m being ignored so I am forced to give in, but I don’t think what the council wants is best for Summer.”

Her parents have not yet chosen an alternative school.