A boy has lost out on education after the closure of an independent Christian school in Reading.
Joaquim Chau is a five-year-old boy who was in reception class before Trinity Christian School in London Road closed down.
Now he has been left with no education, as Reading Borough Council has been unable to find a suitable placement for him.
His mum, Jackie Chau said: “My son, who has Autism (ASD) with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHP), is currently ‘Missing in Education’ following the closure of Trinity Christian School in March.
“What makes this case particularly egregious is that the council was officially informed as early as December 2025 that the school would be closing.
“Despite having over three months to prepare, the council has failed to secure a school placement for my son. In stark contrast, his non-disabled peers from the same school have already been settled into new placements.
“This is a clear and direct case of disability discrimination.
“My son is 5 years old and, due to his ASD, depends entirely on routine.
“Every morning, he experiences the heartbreak of watching his younger sibling go to school while he is left behind. This ‘planned neglect’ by the council has caused a severe decline in his mental health.
“He is confused, distressed, and being denied his fundamental right to an education.
“The council issued a ‘Final’ EHCP that is legally inadequate—it leaves Section I (the school placement) completely blank, naming only a ‘school type’. This is a dereliction of duty.
“The council knew this was coming since December. They had the time. They had the resources. Yet, the child with the greatest needs was the one they chose to ignore.”
The final EHCP was issued on Monday, April 20.
Mrs Chau said: “I hope no other SEND child in Reading is treated as an ‘acceptable loss’ by the system.”
She went on to argue that Trinity Christian School was “killed” by Value Added Tax (VAT).
The school was able to move from its original premises in Glebe Road, Katesgrove, into the former Medivet site in London Road in 2024.
However, some independent schools have been facing financial difficulties ever since the Labour government introduced VAT for private education in January last year.
The money raised, which is estimated to reach £1.7 billion annually by 2029/30 is being reinvested into the state education system.
Trinity Christian School closed on March 25.
The council is responsible for managing Joaquim’s education.
A spokesperson said: “We are actively working with families impacted by the closure of Trinity School to find a suitable place for their child.
“In this instance, we have identified what the local authority deems as appropriate alternative school places, and we are in the process of visits to schools with this family.”
