Michelle Chambers' daughter Jade has not been at school for over a year since a dispute with Bedfordshire County Council over her treatment at Heathwood Lower School.

They alleged the school was physically restraining Jade
because of her disability – a language impairment.
When Mrs Chambers found out about the restraint, Jade was taken out of school and the family launched a Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal against the council. The school was later cleared of any discrimination.

Ever since the family have also battled to get Jade into a school that can meet her needs and a tribunal ruled this week that Beds County Council must pay for Jade to attend St Catherine's School in the Isle of Wight – a specialist boarding school for children with speech and language difficulties that costs around £35,000 a year per pupil.

Mrs Chambers told the Citizen: "She will be 100 times better off than she is now as she's had no education for a year.

"It sounds scary when people hear where she's going, but we're not sending her into oblivion. She has been there before for a few days and for the first time she felt really happy as she was with the same people as her."

A spokesman for Bedfordshire County Council said: "We are pleased that a decision has now been reached and will immediately begin work on dealing with the recommendations made by the tribunal. Our continuing aim is to ensure that
Jade receives the very best possible care and education."

Mrs Chambers is now hoping her son Steffen can join his sister in the Isle of Wight. He has a similar disability and is at a school in Surrey.

Meanwhile Mrs Chambers says she has won the right to appeal to the High Court after her tribunal over Jade's treatment at Heathwood was dismissed, adding it will be funded by the Disability Rights Commission.