Judge slams ‘lamentable failure’ as some teenagers in care miss out on full-time schooling for ten months

CROYDON Council has been accused of a “lamentable failure” after it was revealed more than 1,000 children are on its school waiting list.

The damning figures were made public in a High Court hearing this week, where the council was slammed for not finding appropriate schooling for three teenage Afghan asylum seekers.

During the judicial review hearing on Tuesday, it emerged two of the 14-year-old boys, who are in council foster care, had not been in full-time secondary school education since they arrived in Croydon ten months ago.

Representing Croydon Council, Jennie Richards told the hearing it was because the authority had

Some of these children are waiting to move from one school to another, but others are currently not attending school at all.

During the hearing, judge Keith Lindblom said the three youngsters had been the victim of a “lamentable failure” by council education chiefs.

One father, who has been forced to teach his daughter at home, echoed the judge’s verdict.

Chelsea Barber, 12, is being taught by her dad Nick at home because she is unable to find a suitable school.

The 32-year-old wants his daughter to attend Shirley High or Harris Academy Crystal Palace.

She was turned down for these a year ago, but won a scholarship at private Commonweal Lodge, part of Lodge School in Purley.

But after the school closed down in September, Chelsea is back at square one and being taught by her parents.

Mr Barber said: “My daughter is sitting with no education, but I’m not going to send her to a school that’s no good.

“We have to go through the whole process of applying again and then appealing.

“It will probably take us until after Christmas. You wouldn’t believe the stress and strain we have had to go through .

“But I won’t give up, they will not break me.”

Croydon Council refused to confirm exactly how many youngsters are out of school when pressed by the Advertiser.

A council spokesman said: “Most of the 1,274 applications will be from those looking to transfer from other schools in Croydon or for children outside the borough.

“Only a small proportion of those will be at home.

“We will be looking at the detail of the hearing and responding in due course.”

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