Leicestershire mum's fears over diabetic daughter's school run

Mrs King is worried her four-year-old daughter will "panic" if she has to travel by taxi to school alone

A mother of a diabetic girl, 4, has said she is "terrified" about her daughter having to use a taxi to get six miles to school in Leicestershire.

Chloe King has been told her daughter Skyla cannot attend a school in Sileby, near where they live, because they are not living within the catchment area.

Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan said she had raised the family's concerns with Leicestershire County Council.

The authority said Skyla had been offered two other places elsewhere.

A spokesman also said free transport would be provided if the chosen school was more than two miles away from the family home.

"We understand parents' disappointment but in this case the application was turned down because the family does not live in the catchment area and there are no brothers or sisters at the school," the council said.

'Panic'

Mrs King, who cannot drive, said the idea of her daughter - who has type 1 diabetes - travelling alone to Loughborough every day was "absolutely terrifying".

"She's not going to know anybody in Loughborough - and her mum isn't round the corner," she said.

"If Skyla goes to somewhere she doesn't know, then she will panic."

Skyla has needed hospital treatment in the past because of her illness and must have diabetes checks throughout the day, the family said.

Mrs King said Skyla's doctor had written a letter supporting her request to have a place in the village school.

She also said she would rather provide home schooling for her daughter than let her travel on her own every day.

There is a second school in Sileby which Skyla has also missed out on due to it being oversubscribed.

A family appeal was turned down by an independent panel despite Mrs King's medical concerns.