School refuse refund for autistic boy

Julie Toyne, 45, of Patterson Place, Mansfield, took her autistic son Leon, nine, out of formal education in March last year to home school him.

However, before Leon left, his mum forked out around £80 for a school residential trip, which she says staff at Asquith Primary School have refused to return.

Leon had left the school before the trip took place and Julie is now demanding to know where the money went.

Julie said: “He wasn’t engaging in school as much as I would of liked, so I took him out and started home schooling him.

“After I removed him I asked if I could have a refund for the school trip – there was no fine print about me not being allowed a refund.

“They said no. I paid around £80 for the trip which is a lot for me to pay and not get back. I got a letter from the school later on saying he was still enrolled after I had gone in, sent a letter and an email about me taking him out.

“Because he was still an enrolled student I asked why he couldn’t go on the trip and they said he couldn’t.

“I feel like I have let my son down, that money could have helped pay for his home schooling equipment. I would like to know were the money has gone. It isn’t fair. I would have understood if I had not got a deposit back but they aren’t giving me anything.”

The school declined to comment.