91¸£ÀûÉç

17-year-old Katie is autistic and has barely been to school since she was 13.

In a special Woman’s Hour programme shining a spotlight on how the UK educates children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), she told 91¸£ÀûÉç Woman's Hour presenter Nuala McGovern that the system has ‘completely ruined’ her life.

Katie told Nuala that she feels she’s been failed. She should be sitting her A-levels, but she says that despite being smart and wanting to learn, she can’t attend school.

They were also joined on the programme by Minister for School Standards Catherine McKinnell to spell out the Government’s plans.

You can listen to the special programme, which was recorded live in the 91¸£ÀûÉç Radio Theatre, on 91¸£ÀûÉç Sounds – it’s the Woman’s Hour episode from 10 September.

For more information and support on this topic, head to the 91¸£ÀûÉç Action Line website.