It's Finally Back To School For Kyle

After a year of sporadic two-hour tutoring sessions forced to suffice as a rounded education, 15-year-old Kyle Dyer is finally back at school.

With the rather dubious accolade of 'pupil without a school place for the longest time', Wood Green resident Kyle started Tottenham's Park View Academy on Wednesday.

He had been at Gladesmore School in Tottenham but left to live with his father in America last summer. But by October when Kyle returned to Haringey, his school place had already been filled.

For the entire academic year just gone - his first year of GCSE studies - he was forced to accept Haringey Tuition Services' offer of private lessons as none of the borough's schools could accommodate him.

Aside from the educational shortcomings of not being at school in year 10 (which I don't dismiss but almost go without saying), not being at school for a whole year is wholly detrimental for social and personal development. At 15 the majority of a child's friendship group is borne from school networks, and being segregated from that is more than just a shame.

I'd like for someone to explain to me why it was seemingly impossible to squeeze one more pupil into the school system. This is someone's future at stake after all, and that year out of school could affect him for years to come.

So well done (sort of) to the council for finding Kyle a place eventually. I'll refrain from commenting (sort of) on the fact that his mum was made aware of his new school place by this newspaper rather than a formal letter and assume it was a genuine mistake.

I am sure this is a one off though. Sort of.

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