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The mum of a schoolboy who can not read or write has spoken of her distress after being told his full-time classroom assistant was being removed.

Paddy Jack Wallace, son of former Ireland and Ulster Rugby player Paddy Wallace, has severe dyslexia, ADHD and was diagnosed as on the autistic spectrum.

The P7 pupil at Campbell College has had a full-time classroom assistant since returning to the school following two years at Harberton Special School.

But now mum Tina Blackburne, who lives in East Belfast , claimed the family were informed last week that her son's support was being phased out, just four months before he is due to finish at the school.

Speaking to Belfast Live, Tina said her son had been in a specialist unit in Harberton for two years before it closed when he finished P6 and he returned to Campbell College for P7.

Before the move to Harberton she said Paddy Jack had had a full-time classroom assistant and this was reinstated when he returned.

"He can not read or write, it is very sad and difficult for us to digest," she said.

"We had high hopes when he went to Harberton that the specialist support might be able to correct it."

But the mum-of-two said it was believed her son's autism was blocking specialists helping his severe dyslexia.

Now the family are facing a new challenge as Paddy Jack's support in the classroom is being taken away.

"His self esteem is low as he is starting to understand he is different," said Tina.

"He feels stupid a lot of the time because the other kids are able to read and write but he can not, it does not make him any less intelligent. It has been a very difficult process for him.

"He loves his friends and is very popular and everyone is very supportive but when it comes to the work aspect he is feeling very inadequate. It is a constant battle for him."

Tina said they had come to an agreement with the school that Paddy Jack would move after P7 as he would be unable to sit his GCSE exams.

She said her understanding was that until he finished his primary education at Campbell College he will continue to have a full-time classroom assistant to help.

But last week Tina and her ex-husband Paddy were asked to come into the school and she said initially she thought it was about his move to secondary school.

"When we went to talk to the headmaster we were told PJ did not have a classroom assistant anymore," she said.

"I did not understand. To me it is obvious he needs the support and the school said they were very upset but it wasn't up to them.

"If anything his educational requirements have got worse rather than better."

Tina, who is also mum to daughter Leila, said her son was not disruptive in class but would struggle due to his learning difficulties and needed full-time one-on-one support.

"Their argument seemed to be he is in a small class and another child in the class has autism and has a classroom assistant for 25 hours a week so that classroom assistant can also be used for Paddy Jack," said Tina.

"This child has a completely different skill set to Paddy Jack though, how will this classroom assistant be able to sit with both children and work with both with very different skill sets? It seems impossible.

"She will have a nightmare trying to help one child who can not read or write and another who can."

Tina said she worried about how her son would cope without the additional support and feared he would become even more upset about going to school.

She also questioned why the support had to be taken away when there is just four months left of the school year.

She added: "The school are completely shocked, really upset and disappointed and they have fought his corner to say, 'you can't do this'.

"His classroom assistant was so kind and lovely and even gave up an hour of her own time to come and give him some support.

"I fear without her he will feel even more isolated."

An Education Authority (EA) spokesperson said: "EA is unable to comment on circumstances relating to individual children. EA continues to work with schools and parents to provide appropriate support in line with children's assessed needs."

Mr Robert Robinson, headmaster at Campbell College, added: “The welfare and well-being of the child is at the heart of this. We have been supporting the family throughout, and will continue to do so in the best interests of the child.”