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Deaf boy is ‘abandoned’ by Rochdale’s Education Department
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Education chiefs in Rochdale have been
accused of failing to give nine-year-old Jack Grimrod the vital help
he badly needs. The youngster who lives in Brimrod is unable to speak,
read or write and is struggling to keep up with his classmates at
Moss Field Primary School, Heywood.
The allegation has been made is by grandmother, Mary Kershaw: “Jack
can just about write his own name, but he can’t read it. He can ask
for a drink and call his mummy, but that’s all he can say. What chance
has my grandson got when he goes to secondary school? My daughter,
her husband and I went to a meeting at the school with the education
department and they said they would sort it out. After many phone
calls to them we were told they can’t do anything for him. They are
abandoning him. Every Wednesday I go down to the school for a couple
of hours to help him, but he needs a professional. We have inquired
about paying for a speech therapist, but it will cost £120 for one
session. Nothing can be done and it is just heartbreaking.”
Jack has a special hearing aid which means that he can to hear some
sound but is unable to communicate in sign language. He first hit
the headlines in September 2004 when it was revealed that it took
him two hours to make his journey to school because of the transport
laid on by the council.
A spokesman for Rochdale Council said they are working towards finding
a solution as quickly as possible.
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