Damages for 'failed' pupil

A man who claimed Norfolk County Council failed to provide him with a proper education has settled his High Court damages case for £115,000.

Thomas Ward, 27, of Wadebridge, Cornwall, received no school education after the age of 14 when he was excluded from Broadland High School in Hoveton, Norfolk, the court was told.

During a week-long trial, his barrister, Michael Kent QC, argued Norfolk County Council's failure to fund Mr Ward's education at a fee-paying school robbed him of the literacy and numeracy skills needed to find a job.

On Monday the county council agreed to settle Mr Ward's case for £115,000 - without making any admission of liability.

'Let down by council'

The council argued it had done nothing wrong.

Mr Kent earlier told Mr Justice Crane: "Mr Ward was badly let down by Norfolk County Council's education department."

Mr Ward, who has learning disabilities, had initially been placed in Broadland High School in February 1990 after his family moved to Norfolk from Devon.

But, the following month, he was excluded from the school after the headmaster became concerned about his behavioural problems.

The council then told Mr Ward's father, Roger, they would offer his son six hours home tuition per week.

But this was deemed "totally unacceptable" by the family, and Mr Ward's father then paid for his son to attend Bushey Place, a local independent school.

In effect there was virtual paralysis when urgent action was demanded Michael Kent QC

But, after one term at the school, Mr Ward could no longer afford the fees, and at that point, Mr Kent said "it became clear the council were not prepared to fund Mr Ward to stay at Bushey Place".

"Mr Ward was then aged 14 years and three months - two full academic years before he reached school leaving age," he added.

"Since July 1990, apart from inappropriate home tuition in 1991, Mr Ward has received no education of any sort," he said.

"This has been damaging to him in many ways. First, he has failed to achieve a level of literacy and numeracy which would have enabled him to function in the work place.

"Second, he has failed to gain social skills and self-confidence which would also have fitted him for work."

Mr Kent said of the council's stance at the time: "In effect there was virtual paralysis when urgent action was demanded."