School backs pupil's bid to remain in UK

A school has written to the Home Office in support of a 16-year-old at risk of deportation from the UK.

Tyrone Volney, who is originally from St Lucia, is described as the perfect pupil by staff at the Magnus Church of England Academy, Newark, who are backing his fight to stay in the UK with his family.

The Advertiser reported last week how Tyrone was in the UK on a six-month tourism visa that expired on January 4.

He was visiting his father, Robinson, and sister, Tiffany, 14, who both have rolling permission to stay in the UK.

While he was here his family say his mother disowned him and had now left the Caribbean island of St Lucia and her whereabouts were unknown.

Tyrone lives in Girton with his father and partner Katie Armitage, who is English, their son, Theo, 4, and Tiffany, who is also a Magnus pupil.

Tyrone’s family was told by the Home Office he would have to return to St Lucia to fill out a residency application, despite the fact there would be no one there to look after him or validate his application.

Tyrone has been a pupil at the Magnus since September.

Both he and his sister were named as Magnus Star pupils last term.

The school has written to the Home Office asking for common-sense and compassion to be shown, and to the MP for Newark, Mr Robert Jenrick, asking him to continue to do whatever he could.

'Sending him back to St Lucia would be a cruel decision'

Mr Mark Peyton, director of learning and progress for year ten at Magnus, said: “From day one, Tyrone has worked hard.

“He has a 100% attendance record. His behaviour is perfect. He is the model pupil.

“He is making good progress, despite everything.

“I would understand if his worry and upset affected his work but he doesn’t let it.

“I can’t believe the Home Office would return a 16-year-old boy to a country where there is nothing or no one to assist him, for the sake of a form.

“He’s making the most of the opportunity he has here.

“The whole school family believes he should be allowed to stay. Sending him back to St Lucia would be a cruel decision.

“We are desperate to keep a very able and well-liked pupil here with us.”

'I try to keep my worry to myself'

Tyrone said he was thankful for the support he was receiving and the opportunities life in the UK offered.

He has particularly taken to electronics, basketball and drumming at school.

“I’m very happy that people support me. I try to keep my worry to myself. I love it here in the UK and I want to stay with my family,” Tyrone said.

Mr Jenrick is due to meet the Volney family on Friday as he prepares to take up the case with the Home Office.

The Home Office did not respond to the Advertiser’s request for comment this week but said last week it was looking into the case.