Derry school apologises after refusing to accept pupil who has an autistic spectrum disorder

St Brigid's College have agreed a settlement with the family of a child denied a place at the school because of a disability following a tribunal.

The school refused to accept the pupil event though the Education Authority said that the school was suitable.

The case settled with St Brigid's involved an 11-year-old boy who has an autistic spectrum disorder which has an adverse effect on his ability to learn, concentrate or understand.

While the EA recommended he go to St Brigid's, the school said it 'was not in a position to provide post-primary education'.

Supported by the Equality Commission, similar cases were brought against Wallace High in Lisburn and Lislagan PS in Ballymoney.

The Equality Commission said each school had apologised. Two cases were settled last year and a third in April 2017.

Equality Commission chief commissioner Dr Michael Wardlow told The Irish News 'there is a lesson from these cases for every school'.

"When a disabled child applies for a place, they should proactively give proper consideration to how they can adapt to meet the needs of that pupil. These are children who have enough barriers facing them in life. They don't need the additional barriers than can be thrown up when schools decide that their needs cannot be accommodated," he said.

"By challenging the decisions which were taken they and their families hope to ensure that other children, in similar circumstances, can avoid the additional, and unnecessary, difficulties which were placed before them."