Ascot 11-year-old mountaineer struggles to find school

Jack Harley Walsh climbed Kilimanjaro aged just 10-years-old

Scaling Africa's highest mountain holds no fears for Jack Harley-Walsh, but finding a secondary school place is a greater challenge for the 11-year-old.

The young mountaineer from Ascot has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya and Mount Meru, and also has to overcome daily challenges at school.

He has been diagnosed with dyslexia, and dyscalculia, which means he needs help with reading and numbers.

His mother claims he has been turned down by 24 schools in three counties.

"Surprised and saddened"

She has tried to find him a place at schools in Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey, including private ones, but none will take him on due to his high levels of special needs.

Jack's mother, Sue Walsh, added: "Knowing how bright he is, it is incredibly frustrating because he really needs a specific type of education for his needs.

"I do think there is a solution out there for him. He's always proved what he can achieve outside the classroom."

As well as climbing three peaks in Africa, Jack has also walked the length of Hadrian's Wall raising money for charity and has been awarded a Gold Blue Peter Badge and a Bear Grylls Personal Award.

On Monday Jack visited RAF Benson in Oxfordshire to receive a certificate in gratitude for the £1,046 he has raised so far for the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust.

Pat Conafray, Head of Fund Raising at TVACAA said: "Jack has already achieved more in his ten short years than many people do in a lifetime.

"We were very surprised and saddened when his mum Sue told us about his educational predicament because we know how much he is looking forward to secondary school."

A spokeswoman from Royal Windsor and Maidenhead said: "We are working closely with Jack's mother on this issue, we have approached three schools that could meet his needs, and are awaiting their responses."