Reports have emerged of a pupil at a secondary school being sent home as a result of parents complaining that he resembles an adult male. A letter was sent home to parents after a picture of the student was posted onto Facebook. The Facebook post garnered more than 70 parents responded to the post. Many were extremely concerned and stated that they were to take this matter further.
One parent stated: ‘Pupils were coming home saying there’s a man in our class, some were even saying they reckoned he could be aged up to 40. He has a thin hairline and apparently, he has no birth certificate or passport. He might be the right age, he might not. Either way, parents would like some clarity’.
UNN’s Oliver Down understands that the male involved travelled to the UK without documentation and was then placed at a school in Coventry. Coventry City council have sought to reassure parents. They have stated that all of their necessary procedures had been followed in checking the age of this new starter. A statement was released by the council that aimed ‘to clarify our guidance and reassure parents regarding accepting pupils on roll’. The letter also said: ‘All Local Authorities and Trusts are obliged to work within the guidance as set out by the Department for Education and also immigration processes’.
A spokesperson for the school, which is not being named at this time has said: ‘While it is inappropriate to comment on individual pupils, we can confirm we have clear procedures in place in conjunction with the local authority to ensure all of our pupils have the right to attend and learn [at the school]. Where a pupil from overseas applies for a school place, we follow the guidance set out by the Department for Education and, where necessary, seek evidence, in the form of a birth certificate and passport to confirm the pupil’s identity and age’.
A Home Office spokesman has also commented on this case. He said: ‘If an individual is assessed to be under 18 but subsequent concerns about their age are raised – for example, by a school – we will act quickly to reconsider the case’.
Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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