(Image: Šarlota Nelson)
The parents of an autistic girl have been left "shocked and disgusted" after they claim their six-year-old was not included in a school graduation.
Esther Nelson, who attended Newhall Park Primary School in Bierley, Bradford, did not take part in the reception class graduation - an experience her family described as a “once-in-a-lifetime milestone” - at the end of the last school year.
'Shock and disgust'
Her parents, Josh and Sarlotta Nelson, said they were not informed about the event and only learned of it when Esther’s mother arrived early for pick-up and saw other parents leaving the ceremony.
In an email sent to the family, seen by the T&A, school governor Sanobir Mammood offered her "sincerest apologies", but the Nelsons say they have not received an apology from headteacher Karren El Kheir.
Esther Nelson with mum Šarlota Nelson (Image: Šarlota Nelson)
Questions over inclusion
Mr Nelson said he later spoke to a member of staff, who told him it would have been “entirely inappropriate” for Esther to take part, as the children were expected to learn and recite lines during the ceremony.
He said: "Not only had they decided not to include Esther at all, they decided not to tell us about it, not to inform us, not to even give us the chance to help Ester to enjoy this."
The Nelsons said Esther has since moved to a specialist SEND school and is “thriving.”
Esther Nelson with mum Šarlota Nelson (Image: Šarlota Nelson)
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Newhall Park Primary School (Image: Newsquest)
'We don't want other children to go through this'
Mr Nelson claims Newhall Park Primary is not equipped to support SEND pupils, and criticised the handling of their complaint, saying it felt as though the school did not care.
Mr Nelson said: "The whole motivation for this is holding the school accountable and finding out what actually happened.
"But I think the bigger thing is we don't want other children to go through this."
Esther Nelson (Image: Šarlota Nelson)
Child has own graduation
In an effort to give Esther her own special moment, the family organised a personal graduation celebration with friends.
Mr Nelson said: "We threw Esther her own graduation party with some of her friends.
"She absolutely loved it."
The Telegraph & Argus approached Newhall Park Primary School for comment but has not yet received a response.