A children's mental health charity has criticised a headmaster's decision to place a problem child in classes with pupils half his age.

Kevin Furlong, headteacher at Rydene Primary School, Basildon, has defended his actions - claiming it's better than excluding the boy altogether.

Ten-year-old Joseph Barnard has a condition known as low tolerance, which means he does not react well to situations involving conflict.

After lashing out at a fellow student last week he was suspended from school for two days and is now alternating between classes of different year groups at Rydene.

In these classes he is not allowed to interact with other children and is closely monitored by the teacher.

Joseph's mother, Nicola, believes the move is damaging his self-esteem and increasing the chances of him being teased.

The Young Minds mental health charity has jumped to Joseph's defence.

A spokesperson said: "Ten is a very important age because he will soon be going off to senior school.

"This needs to be sorted out very quickly because it's going to be difficult for him to go there if this hasn't been resolved first.

"At the moment they are just containing the problem not treating it. They need to reintegrate him back into the school so he isn't given a phobia of the place."

But Mr Furlong said: "Like many schools we have children who may be at risk of exclusion or have been excluded from other schools for serious misconduct.

"Very occasionally there may be a pupil who seriously affects the learning of others. This is unacceptable and steps have to be taken to ensure that the needs of all pupils are met."

Published Monday, June 16, 2003

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