It's all very well for Southend councillor Verina Weaver to say everyone has to make an individual decision about education, but we don't all start from a level playing field.

Some of us can't pay £15,000 a year for the extra emotional and academic support needed for children with special needs.

My grandson has been diagnosed with dyslexia and dyscalculia. He will be 12 years old in March, but has a reading age of seven years and three months.

His parents have been fighting for more than two years to try and get him help at school, but he has continued to fall further and further behind.

We have been to two tribunals in London. Firstly, because Essex County Council refused to give him a statement of special educational need. Secondly, because they were not providing the support the statement said he needed.

Both times the tribunal found in our favour, but he has yet to receive the learning support needed.

So not all state schools do "a reasonable job". They are restricted because of lack of funding and some do all they can to procrastinate and prevaricate.

In the meantime my grandson is ever closer to leaving school without a basic education.

A Coutts
Langham Drive
Rayleigh