I WAS saddened to read of the bullying experienced by 'Tim', a child with special educational needs (SEN) who now attends a mainstream high school (December 9).

The part of your report that caught my attention was an assertion by Murray Rose, the council's assistant director for access and inclusion, that "the council did not receive a single objection to the changes during a public consultation in 2001".

Having sent in a four-page letter of objection during the consultation, I disagree.

At the time our child was attending Northfield School and, during 2000, we went to a number of meetings with Hazel Smith, then senior education development adviser for SEN, and Chris Edwards, then deputy director of educational services, about the proposal to phase out the specialist schools and go for a policy of "inclusion" within mainstream schools.

There were a number of concerns expressed by parents at these meetings, and issues of acceptance and bullying appeared more keenly felt by parents than any other single issue. The response to these concerns was dismissive.

The broad thrust of the inclusion policy was not just educational, but to promote a more compassionate and understanding society by breaking down barriers, eliminating a "them and us" culture and celebrating differences. Four years after those meetings I don't think 'Tim' is celebrating.

To minimise the distress of those for whom a policy of "inclusion or bust" has been unsuccessful is insensitive, but to claim there was no objection beforehand is misleading.

Jacob Balla,

Danebury Drive,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 11:13 Monday, December 20, 2004