A WINSFORD parent says he feels like his family are being ‘coerced’ into accepting an ‘inappropriate’ school choice for their child because of a lack of special educational choice in the region.

Glyn Wilson of Gladstone Street said he’s told Cheshire West and Chester Council 40 times that he wants four-year-old son, Dennon, to attend Rosebank School in Barnton.

But when the statement came back advising him where his child would be studying in September, a different school was named.

He said: “It’s like they’re holding out two hands and asking us to pick one. When we do, they say: ‘not that hand’.

“We’ve probably had 40 to 50 phone calls. Every time we’ve said we don’t want any other school but Rosebank putting on the statement.

“He really took to Rosebank. He seemed really comfortable there, but the council have said that they can’t put Rosebank on his statement.

“It’s flawed. The Government say they’re giving parents of disabled children more choice, but what choice is that?”

Like other parents throughout Winsford, Glyn attended the Big Group at Wharton Library www.thebiggroup4parents.co.uk to find help filling in the reams of forms needed to get a Special Educational Needs (SEN) assessment for his child.

But after numerous tests, and while helping Dennon deal with dozens of ear infections, Glyn said he was unhappy with the school he’s been offered.

“One one day they phoned seven times to ask if they could out another school name on the statement.

“They’re trying to push us into this other school. It feels like they’re trying to coerce us into a decision we’re not willing to make.

“I keep trying to get a breakdown of the areas where Dennon has had problems in the assessment, but nothing has arrived. You feel like they’re telling you he’s not smart enough.

“We’ve asked for it to go to a tribunal to get them to change their decision.

A council spokesman said: Leave circa 70 words Do you have a Special Education Needs child? What are your thoughts on SEN provision in the borough? Email matthew.taylor@guardiangrp.co.uk or write to Guardian Series Newspapers, Theatre Court, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 5HB