FAIRFIELD Farm students were among the 100 young people who joined Harry Potter playwright Jack Thorne to campaign for education equality at Westminster. o

Three students from the college took part in the ‘Right Not a Fight’ demonstration – calling for impartial advice and information for disabled pupils so they can make the right choices about their careers and education last Thursday.

Imogen Cainey, 18, who has Down’s Syndrome, explained why she wanted to take part in the campaign.

She said: "I learn a lot at college and I was worried I would have to leave my course before it finished because of funding. I want to let people know in London why it is important to help me.”

Writer Jack Thorne, whose play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has broken West End records, joined the campaigners outside Westminster.

He said: “We live in a country where we pride ourselves on identifying potential but due to short-term cuts we’re leaving behind people who have that potential but may need some extra support.”

Fairfield, set on a 26-acre farm in Dilton Marsh, offers day and residential education and social care packages to prepare young people for working and living in their communities.

The college's principal, Dr Tina Pagett, said: “Changes to the Children and Families Act 2014 were intended to improve systems and opportunities for young people with learning disabilities; ministers need to be made aware that the spirit of the legislation is not being adhered to.

“The changes to funding have left local authorities compromised and there is a danger that they will be unable to best meet the needs of young people.

“Whilst a conflict of interest remains in funding arrangements, young people will suffer, opportunities to gain real employability and independence skills needed to transition to adulthood will be compromised and this will incur greater cost to the public purse in the longer term.”

An Ofsted report earlier this year revealed that young people with learning difficulties and disabilities face problems in accessing impartial information about their further education options.