Save the LDU

There is plenty of money out there. But not for deaf kids apparently.

Capital gains tax (which mainly affects wealthy people who own assets) is significantly lower than the top rate of income tax. Private schools are subsidised by everyone who pays tax because they are charities.

The wealthiest 100 people in the UK have as much money as the poorest 18 million according to the Equality Trust. And inequality always affects those with disabilities disproportionately. (This is Tana (former pupil), Lianne and Tyler (Y4 btw)

A final thought - let’s not let the desperate state of public finances distract from the fact that there is enormous wealth in this country but it sits in private hands (this is Dari with her bro Alecks and mum Magdalena btw)

You can help by signing this petition democracy.islington.gov.uk/m…

This is Damaris with her kids Samuel, Eveline and Elisa. Samuel had a terrible experience in mainstream school where it was nearly impossible to learn or make friends - Laycock has been incredible for him.

Sixty-four deaf children attend Laycock from a dozen boroughs and many have additional needs like Max. He has cochlear implants and many of the difficulties that come with deafness - mainstream education relies on hearing so kids like Max are left behind and isolated.

Lots of the signs at yesterdays protest mention Sue Brownson who has run the deaf unit for decades and is adored by the parents and kids. Like lots of talented people she is comparatively expensive (though not paid nearly as much as she deserves) so she is being let go.

This is Olivia. She wears hearing aids and goes to Laycock primary in Islington, a mainstream school with a specialist unit for deaf children (many of whom have additional needs). The school needs to save money and so has targeted the specialist unit for severe cuts.