Primary school apologises for suggesting seven-year-old boy with Aspergers might 'cause a scene' at sports day

Dad holds home sports day after Jacob, seven, 'cried his eyes out' at the news he would not compete at school

Banks Road Primary School in Liverpool (Google Street View)

A young boy with Asperger syndrome "cried his eyes out" after being told he would not take part in a school sports day.

Mark Birchall, of Liverpool, claimed a school worker suggested he keep his son Jacob, seven, away for the day as it was feared he might "cause a scene".

It is understood a support worker for Jacob told Mr Birchall he could keep his son away from the 18 July event if he had any concerns about him taking part.

The headteacher of Banks Road Primary School, in Garston, has now apologised for the "inappropriate suggestion".

Asperger syndrome is a autism-spectrum developmental disability that can vary in severity.

Mr Birchall, 28, told the Liverpool Echo: "It is excluding him, which is exactly what you are supposed not to do with children with special needs.

"Even if he didn’t take part, he could have handed out medals or been a referee."

Instead Mr Birchall staged a home sports day for his son, he told the paper.

But he did not raise the issue with Jacob's teacher or the headteacher.

Banks Road headteacher Linda Gibson said: "This was an entirely inappropriate suggestion made almost two weeks ago that neither myself nor the class teacher were made aware of until after the event.

"We have a clear policy that all of our children take part in sports day and I have taken steps to make sure this can’t happen again.

"I am really sorry for the upset this has caused and I have met personally with the family together with our chair of governors to discuss their concerns."