AN ANGRY mum and dad today accused education bosses of casting their five-year-old daughter out of school because of her epilepsy.
Naomi Tyrie started at Moor End Primary School, Oswaldtwistle, at the beginning of September after a year in the school's nursery.
But her parents Jackie and Paul say last week they were informed that Naomi could no longer go to school until staff are trained to administer the medication she needs in the event of a fit.
Jackie, 28, of Cross Street, Oswaldtwistle, said: "Naomi loves school. She said nobody loved her because she had a poorly head.
"I think it's disgraceful to accept her and all of a sudden turn round and say she can't go in. It was just dropped on us."
Jackie said the arrangement was that if Naomi did have a fit the school would ring her and she would administer the diazepam treatment her daughter needed. Jackie said she was in the house all day, four minutes away, and went into school virtually every lunchtime to give Naomi other medication she needed for her epilepsy. Jackie added: "She's not actually had a fit at nursery or at school. I know the signs and if she's not right I don't send her in.
"I understand people's fears and I'm not asking them to give it to her.
"They are going to send her a home tutor and see if they can train someone up but they need three people in case one isn't in school or in a different part of the building.
"We don't know how long that will take and we want her in school."
A county council spokesman said the authority did not comment on individual cases .
He added: "However, in situations like this the school and the authority will work with the family to resolve any difficulties and cause as little disruption as possible to a child's education.
"For the child's safety the school is following county guidelines.
"Until staff volunteer to be fully trained to administer the medication she will be asked to stay at home and a home tutor will be arranged.
"Arrangements will be implemented as soon as possible."
See Opinion
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article