AN ARCHBISHOP is planning to take legal action against a health trust because a boy has not been to school for four months.

Ethan Cottingham has not attended a single lesson at St Giles's and St George's Primary School, in Newcastle, since September because no-one is qualified to look after him at lunchtimes.

The 10-year-old has had a tracheostomy and needs medical supervision in case the tube in his throat becomes dislodged.

Ethan attended Blackfriars Special School, in Newcastle, until July but moved to a mainstream school because his condition improved.

But he has not been to school since September and will still be off from Monday because of a funding row with NHS North Staffordshire.

Now the Archbishop of London David Bell, pictured below, has set aside £40,000 to fund legal action against the health trust under the Disability Discrimination Act.

Mr Bell, a former archbishop of Stoke-on-Trent and family friend, said: "Ethan should have the right to go to a mainstream school. He should be given the opportunity to lead a normal life.

"I am absolutely disgusted nothing is being done for him.

"Ethan has the right to an education and if he is being treated differently because of his disability, he has the right to go to court and address this in a judicial review."

Ethan had been attending St Giles's and St George's for half a day, once a week, before the summer break because he was accompanied by a health professional.

But health officials say he doesn't meet the criteria for that help anymore.

Mum Julie, a 41-year-old cleaner, of Pool Street, Newcastle, said: "This is about Ethan being entitled to move to a mainstream school because he has not got special educational needs.

"To have the archbishop help us like this is amazing."

Staffordshire County Council is prepared to jointly fund support with NHS North Staffordshire.

A council spokesman said: "Since supervision for Ethan is to provide assistance in the event of a medical emergency, whoever is appointed is also likely to assist in the classroom with non-medical needs."

An NHS North Staffordshire spokesman said: "We are aware of the child's circumstances and are working closely with the family and partners to reach a solution."

Now Julie is hoping that the threat of legal action will persuade the health trust to back down.