A MOTHER of a disabled child has spoken out after receiving a court summons after she took her disabled child out of school to go on a family trip.

The Darlington mother-of-two planned a four-day trip during term-time so that Haughton Academy pupil Shaneece, 14, and wheelchair-bound son Ryan, 25, with meningitis could go on a family trip to Flamingo Land together.

Ceneta Norman, 53 of Bernera Court in Whinfield hired a disabled-friendly caravan at the theme park which was adapted with a walk-in shower and had wheelchair access for her blind son.

Ms Norman said that because there are only two adapted caravans available all-year round the family had no other option but to go at this time, and the caravans were fully booked over the school holiday periods.

But despite explanation to the school, time off for her daughter was not granted.

Ms Norman had asked the Haughton Academy in Darlington for dates May 22 to May 28 off but by the time the school decided not to authorise leave, the family had ‘been and gone.’

A letter requesting Ms Norman pay the standard £60 fine was sent despite Ms Norman arguing the exceptional case to teachers at the academy.

She said: “It was the only time we can get a caravan – I thought, it would be nice for the family. By the time I knew that they hadn’t authorised it, we had been and gone – It wasn’t as though I’d taken her out for a month.”

But as Ms Norman refused to pay the fine, it has since doubled to £120 but non-payment has resulted in a court summons at Aycliffe magistrates in the new year.

She said: “It’s made me feel depressed. I am on anti-depressant tablets. I am panicking to go to court, I don’t get letters like that normally.”

Ms Norman also spoke of dismay as a neighbouring Darlington school granted permission when her friend’s school allowed time off, given the circumstances.

“I went with my son’s girlfriend and she took her kids out of school. The other school gave her permission.”

A spokesman for The Education Village Academy Trust who are responsible for Haughton Academy said: “Applications for pupil absence are reviewed on their individual merits by an Attendance Panel, where all the Trust’s academies are represented.

“By following national guidance from the Department for Education, the Panel ensures applications are treated fairly and consistently, and absences are only authorised in very exceptional circumstances.”

Five years ago, Ms Norman spoke out against the Government after they said her son must have a medical to see if he is fit for work, despite being unable to walk, talk or feed himself