An opinion on the school my ASD DS may be attending, please

Carmina_Piranha_3

it's a long time since my boy went through the statementing process and i hear things have changed - but is your son likely to be statemented? i am under the impression that children with a statement can go wherever they want to? i could be wrong though.

Poppy9

Carmina_Piranha wrote: »

i am under the impression that children with a statement can go wherever they want to? i could be wrong though.

Does that include Eton?:rotfl:

poet123

It is correct that any statemented child can name a school of choice(within the LEA they live in, or possibly outside if extenuating circumstances dictate) and only in very very exceptional circumstances can that choice be denied.

Gingham_Ribbon

I'm horrified enough by the senco's comments to think you should make an official complaint to ofsted about her and definitely look at the small school that is a little further away.

Js_Other_Half

I was chatting to a parent recently whose child goes to a tiny mainstream school - less than 50 children. She is delighted with the help her child is getting there - do try and view school D asap?

blue_monkey_2

Thanks everyone, the support here to hear how others have dealt with schools like this has been great, it has given me further insight. I am calling school C tomorrow to tell them where to stick it because they were a 'last resort' choice anyway after the comments their senco made while I was there. I will contact school D later in the week and will explain everything to them and also speaking to their current school - school A to confirm they may not be leaving at the end of term anyhow.

I asked his current school about getting him statemented about 4 months ago and they said to 'wait and see how things go first', I believe that once he has a statement the will take him, and his sister, to school, but I am not sure at age 4 and 5 I would want someoneelse coming to get them, it seems young to me, that's all.

Hi FA, yes, we are fine thanks, have been manic, this is the first week we have drawn breath as it has been a hirl of decorating and the like - we got somewhere 3 days before the bailiff was due to arrive after all that!! It was a nightmare but worth it as where we are are lovely, it just needed so much work doing. But is is almost done (just those odd jobs that never get round to eing done left!) but it meant I could not come on to post as there was always somethig else to do. Thanks for asking xx

I will let you know how things progress with this. I think the comment poet made was right, it was the exact thought I had. If he needed wextra help and could not have it then they would say I sent him knowing full well that the extra help was not available. Also, like you say, if he had problems and I had to speak to her about it I would not be confident that it would be dealt with, not with how she spoke to me that day anyway!!

Savvy_Sue

poet123 wrote: »

It is correct that any statemented child can name a school of choice(within the LEA they live in, or possibly outside if extenuating circumstances dictate) and only in very very exceptional circumstances can that choice be denied.

I know you're the school governor and all, but my impression is that the parent may have to fight to the bitter end to get a particular school NAMED in the statement, especially if it's out of area / expensive. The LEA may want to fill places at a particular school, and if the parent disagrees that the school the LEA wants to use is suitable, then it's not as simple as saying "But I want my child to go to this other school." Nor even as simple as saying "You know fine well that the school you want to name can't possibly meet my child's needs."

blue_monkey, before assuming that if you keep both children at School A and if your son is statemented the LEA will pay for transport for both of them, check that this is the case. It may well be that they will say it is your choice to send your DD to School A, therefore they have no responsibility to provide or pay for transport, and the common sense argument that if they are sending a taxi for one they might as well pick up two probably won't have any effect! And this is probably quite reasonable because transport will be shared whenever possible.

Personally, I think if you were happy with School B and there was some way of sending your daughter there while also taking your son to School A, I would seriously consider that. If your daughter is there, even if you don't get in on appeal I think it will strengthen your case in future years - and you can ask to be kept on a waiting list and a space may be found part-way through the year.

But I wouldn't make any final decisions before seeing School D!

jodie

When I moved areas a couple of months after being told my son was possibly autistic I explained to the SENCO at the new school that he was due to be tested and she told me that would not be happening and that Hertfordshire doesnt have as much money as London... took me 4 years of fighting and in the end I bypassed the school and went to the doctors. The SENCO got a right telling off by the Consultant I saw, I just dont understand why some people chose to work with soecial needs children and even just children really if they are going to have such an attitude.

I hope you manage to pic the right school, I am looking at secondary schools at the moment and have been told by the SENCO of one not to send my son there, only 2 left to pick from... great.

Lunar_Eclipse

Do you think that School C has the right attitude to take my son given that he can be difficult and sometimes needs an extra bit of help. [/quote]


No way!

My tuppence worth:

- I would definitely move schools. Mainly because of the time factor and then potential social issues with play dates and parties, as well as the cost that you mentioned.

- My gut feeling says that your son will (eventually) get a place at school B so I would be 'planning' on this. But not burning any bridges.

- I would not be happy to go to school C, but would discuss this further with the Head, if nothing more than to inform him/her why you will not be choosing their school. The SENCO was very unprofessional but ultimately she held her view that their was no resource for your son throughout your conversation. Very short sighted and not someone I would want involved in my child's education.

- I would check out school D. It could be your preferred option.

Good luck.

cam101

Personally, I would say don't rule out school C.

As a teacher, I am very aware that you can get colleagues who don't have people skills/seem not to care. However, there may well be some brilliant class teachers and other staff members at the school.

It would be a real shame if one woman put you off the school. After all, she may leave/stop being SENCO! A lot of your child's school life will be down to other people anyway. The class teacher will write and maintain his IEP, which can be at School Action or School Action Plus level.

If you are pursuing a statement, this can be done independently of the school anyway (many parents choose to do this as they feel more in control of the process). Obtaining a statement can take many years whether or not the school co-operate, a child in my class (year 5) has just got a statement. It is for something that has been apparent since year 1.

Try not to base your gut feeling just on the impression this woman gave- if the head seems the same then it could be a different matter. However if the school appears nice and other staff welcoming, the SENCO can take a hike as you can get by just fine without her!

I hope this helps, but also to me it sounds like if school B will take your daughter, it's only a matter of time before they will take your son too.

Good luck.