THE story of a Thurrock youngster with profound, multiple and life-limiting disabilities has touched the heart of Prime Minister Andy Burnham who is to bring pressure to bear on a borough-based educational trust to change its rules.

Mr Burnham spoke up in Westminster after being asked by Thurrock MP Jen Craft to call for the Catalyst Academies Trust to be flexible in response to a heart-aching situation.

Addressing Mr Burnham, at Prime Minister's Questions yesterday (Wednesday, 15 October), Mrs Craft presented the case of her six-year-old constituent, Hollie, whose brother William requires 24/7 specialist care and cannot be brought to public environments or left with a standard babysitter.

Hollie attends Benyon School in South Ockendon, one of five borough schools managed by the Trust. The others are Aveley Primary, Dilkes Academy, Quarry Hill Academy and Somers Heath Primary School.

Mrs Craft described William as 'a delightful little boy' and added: "As they cannot bring William or leave him with a babysitter, this effectively means that Hollie's parents must always stay away from school events, missing everything from parents' evenings to Christmas plays and phonics workshops.

"Yet Catalyst Academies Trust, which runs the school, and its CEO, Tony Parfett, have repeatedly refused to make an exception to accommodate William or even to meet myself to discuss ways forward.

MP Jen Craft and Catalyst Trust CEO Tony Parfett

"Will the Prime Minister back my call for the Catalyst Academies Trust to do the right thing, and can he ensure that academy trusts are meeting their reasonable adjustment obligations to disabled children and their families?

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Mr Burnham called the circumstances surrounding Hollie and William's family 'crucial and deeply concerning' and agreed that rules should be handled with compassion.

He said: "It is crucial, clearly, because of the circumstances that my hon. Friend describes in relation to Hollie's school, that the family are able to spend as much time together as is possible.

Watch the exchange between Jen Craft and Andy Burnham, in Westminster:

"That is why I have asked the Department for Education to speak to the trust. It must be possible to resolve this situation.

"It should not be causing any stress to the family. I would ask that they do it without delay."

Two years ago the Catalyst Trust was praised for its approach to education after a visit to Dilkes Academy by minister Catherine McKinnell and Mrs Craft. The minister said: "The dedication shown to making sure every child at the school, no matter their background or ability, is supported to succeed, really is impressive."