Why are children with special educational needs lining up at court to secure school places?

Despite the shortage of school places for special needs children being been flagged for many years, more than two dozen children are pursuing High Court action in a bid to secure a place that appropriately meets their educational needs for this September

It's very likely the system has widely underestimated the demand for special educational placements. File photo: Danny Lawson/PA

By court order, his name and address have been anonymised, but an affidavit submitted to the High Court paints a picture of an affectionate little boy, curious about how things work.

As children do, he enjoys watching his favourite programmes on TV and playing with his toys, particularly fire engines. He has a “great sense of humour” and when something catches his attention, he likes to share it with his parents.