Families Demand Action as School Support for Disabled Children Fails

Drew Tilbrook, an 11-year-old student at Drummond School in Inverness, faces significant challenges due to his autism, non-verbal communication, and profound learning disabilities. His parents, Gail and Andrew Tilbrook, report that without proper support, Drew is at risk of harming himself or others. As issues with school provisions escalated, the family became increasingly distressed by the lack of adequate educational resources.

Drew has a strong sense of curiosity and thrives in a structured environment. He engages well when support is tailored to his needs. However, since 2022, Drew has struggled to access the education he deserves. By mid-2023, he spent most of his school days isolated in a corridor, unable to engage with his learning. Andrew Tilbrook remarked, “Something had changed; his educational needs were not being met as before.”

The Tilbrooks sought help from an educational professional they knew, initiating a fight for the necessary support. Initially, they saw some improvement, but chronic staffing shortages soon rendered this progress unsustainable. Before the summer holidays, Drew was again spending most of his school day disengaged, and his behaviour deteriorated significantly.

Gail emphasized the necessity of a dedicated one-to-one pupil support assistant (PSA) for Drew, stating, “Without a dedicated one-to-one PSA, Drew’s safety, wellbeing, and access to education are compromised.” She underscored that the situation is not a reflection of the staff’s abilities but a failure of the Highland Council to provide the necessary resources.

The Tilbrooks, like many parents at Drummond, have great respect for the staff, from the educators to those in supporting roles. Gail pointed out that those working within the special educational needs (SEN) system are invaluable. “I don’t know any other parent who does not feel this way,” she stated. The couple believes that the Highland Council has let down both the staff and the students. Gail expressed frustration over the pressure placed on educators, acknowledging, “It is the role of the Highland Council to lead, to improve, transform… It is their duty to have vision, plan and have supportive strategies across all services.”

The family is calling for transparency and urgent action from the Highland Council, which they believe has failed to address key concerns. Gail noted, “It should not have reached a crisis for Drummond School before real action is taken.” She highlighted the need for open dialogue and immediate reviews of the situation, especially as the school was originally built for 70 pupils but has seen an increase to 116 this term.

Andrew weighed in on the impact of oversubscription at the school. “If pressure is put on staff because the school is oversubscribed, the balance of risk is high,” he said. He noted that the increased demands on staff leave little room for personal interaction with students, vital for understanding and meeting their needs.

The Tilbrooks are also aware that many current staff members are experiencing high levels of sickness, further complicating the situation. “We wanted to speak up and say we know the challenges staff face and we want to support you to be well, safe, and valued in your role to educate and support our son,” Andrew added.

Gail further elaborated on the negative effects of these challenges on Drew’s behaviour and overall family life. “We are not just managing behaviours at this point but real trauma, confusion, pain, and exhaustion,” she explained. Disruptions at school lead to increased meltdowns and heightened anxiety for Drew, affecting the entire family’s well-being.

Families like the Tilbrooks often find themselves isolated and sleep-deprived, struggling with the everyday tasks that others may take for granted. They contend that a society which protects its most vulnerable members ultimately benefits everyone. “Safety is a universal value; it should resonate with everyone,” Gail stated.

The call for change at Drummond School reflects broader concerns regarding the support provided to students with disabilities across the region. As parents advocate for their children’s right to a meaningful education, the pressure mounts on the Highland Council to respond to these urgent needs with effective strategies and solutions.