A FATHER is taking Wirral Council to a tribunal because he claims his autistic daughter is not getting the level of education she needs.

Michael Machell, from Wallasey, took his daughter Rachael, 12, out of school in September.

He said that her school, Meadowside, in Woodchurch, was not meeting her needs and hired an independent educational psychologist to assess both Meadowside and Rachael's abilities and needs.

According to Mr Machell, the psychologist's report has confirmed his belief that Rachael would do better at West Kirby Residential School - where her 15-year-old brother David is a pupil.

Says Mr Machell: "David has improved by two years, in terms of educational standards, in the time he has been at West Kirby. Rachael was six-and-a-half years behind three years ago and she is still six-and-a-half years behind now.

"Meadowside staff have to concentrate on more severely disabled children and my daughter is falling further behind. If this keeps happening, what prospects will she have?"

Rachael's educational levels are around the level of an average six-year-old and Mr Machell thinks this would be improved by her changing to the West Kirby school.

"West Kirby is the most appropriate school. The documentary evidence is there for everyone to see," says Mr Machell.

He goes on that the report confirms that a new school is required to make a new start and it adds that the best school locally for Rachael would be West Kirby.

A date has been set for a Special Educational Needs Tribunal in London on December 6.

Wirral Council's education committee chair Cllr Mick Groves says: "Mr Machell's daughter was properly assessed and he did not like the assessment. A tribunal found that we assessed her properly.

"We will look at the situation again but she needs to come back to school.

"It has absolutely nothing to do with money. It is about placing a child where her needs are best met."

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