Mother of SEN child criticises Sherfield School's support

Chevette Steel, an army veteran from Kent, moved her two children into the boarding house at Sherfield School, in Hook, in September 2022.

She said she was assured her daughter, 11 at the time who has ADHD and dyslexia would receive the correct care, but "things weren't right from the start."

Speaking to the Gazette, Chevette said: "We are a military family and because of this, we have to move from pillar to post every three years.

READ MORE: 'I am very proud' - Para-athlete smashes and almost doubles World Record

Chevette Steel says her daughter was not given the correct support (Image: Chevette Steel)

"We arranged to move our children into Sherfield School and had a meeting with the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) who told us the school would be supportive.

"It turned out that this wasn't the case, my daughter was regularly targeted in the boarding house and was always put on report and always got the blame for things."

Chevette's daughter, who was in Year 7 at the time, has dyslexia and ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person's behaviour and can cause inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity and emotional dysregulation.

Chevette claims her daughter did not receive the correct support, adding: "She was not treated fairly and it put her at a disadvantage. They said my daughter was being naughty and misbehaving but I knew she wasn't."

After numerous communications with the school, Chevette said she found out from the school's lead inclusion officer and educational psychologist during a conversation that her daughter's needs were not met. 

Chevette said she was told by the psychologist that a letter had been written to confirm this, by the school's head of prep at the time. However, she said it was not sent to her at the time by the school. 

"I asked for the letter around Christmas 2023 and it wasn't until November this year that they sent it," she said. 

The Gazette has seen a copy of a letter which was written and signed by the head of prep at the time but was not reviewed by or authorised by Sherfield School. In an email sent to Chevette with the accompanying letter, Sherfield School said the content of the letter 'does not reflect the views or position of Sherfield School'.

The letter states that "the school’s inclusion team is not able to meet" the provision needs of Chevette's daughter.

It adds: "While support has been put in place in the form of a support profile, a de-escalation plan, mentoring as well as drawing and talking sessions, these interventions did not have the expected impact on her learning or behaviour.

"It seems that at this time, the school cannot provide the level of support" Chevette's daughter needed "to be successful at Sherfield school."

The Gazette contacted Sherfield School for a response to Chevette's concerns, and received a comment from the head of school, Caroline Taylor, who said Sherfield School wants each child to "thrive."

She said that she was not aware of the letter that Chevette had requested to see: "As a new Head, I wasn’t aware that this unofficial, unsigned draft had been kept in the archive by a staff member who left the school in December 2023 to work overseas."

She added: "At Sherfield School, providing the very best education for our pupils is of paramount importance.

"We want each and every child in our care to thrive and we do all we can to provide them with every opportunity to achieve their full potential.

"However, we also respect their right to privacy and so we cannot comment on an individual child or on any aspect of their education."