How can I help my children who are struggling with school work? Feel like a let down

pupsicola

rinroo wrote: »

All I get in response from the school is 'we are aiming for a dyslexic friendly award

They have a cat in hells chance of getting that by the sounds of things. They would do well to become child-friendly first.

HRV

Definately put your complaint in writing to the head and chair of governors (less likely to be swept under the carpet). He should have an IEP that should be shared with you and your son and agreed and on it should state how he will be helped eg. 5 mins twice weekly doing...
The school is correct that they dont have to provide TA support and in fact there isn't a pupil teacher ration in Key stage 2.

That teacher was out of order please do complain - good luck

rinroo

Thanks for the replies.

I should have said he does have an IEP, which we were informed off last July but we the parents didn't have any input on the content, is this supposed to carry over term after term or be reviewed termly?

He also has intervention 3 x weekly with a TA for spelling/handwriting, but he is under a speech therapist for his speech problems, which has affected his spellings.

I feel bad posting as I know the school are helping but I feel as if i'm fighting them all the way, there is no communication between me and the school as his current teacher is far from approachable and very patronising and has a way of making us feel like all his "problems" are down to us, this is why we've been reluctant to complain so far. Plus and this is going to sound stupid, I always seem to forget what i want to say.

Like his homework for example, i've spoke to this teacher over his math book once before, its far too difficult for him and often results in lots of frustrated tears and us both spending far too long trying to help him understand it. I've asked her to send home work that suits his current ability but all i get is, the book is aimed at y4 and the whole class have them I can give him a y3 book, but its got y3 plastered all over it. My reply was, could we have printed sheets instead stuck into a book...her response was that the homework is marked as a class activity and the children mark their own books so he wouldn't be able to partake in that, but she'd said she would have to look for suitable sheets, 5 weeks on, he's still on the same book and we still have one very frustrated child.

I am going to make an appointment to see the head, i just need to make points to bring up.

stumpycat

His teacher sounds like something out of the Dark Ages!
Class work should be differentiated across all the abilities in the class. With the plethora of resources that exist these days it's pretty simple to do.
I think that's another important point for your list.

soupdragon10

The teacher should be differentiating the work for her class - not all children have the same ability and this is one of the key areas that I remember from my teacher training. It was drummed into us that you set work for the majority then provided

a) work that was more challenging for those that finished this quickly and
b) work that was more straightforward for the children who found things more difficult.

It sounds as though she is going for an easy option one size fits all approach rather than understanding her class and its needs.

Having dyslexia is challenging enough (my OH is dyslexic) without the teacher adding to your child's difficulties.

If you find yourself forgetting what you want to say, why not make a list of key points that you want to discuss before you go in, to make sure you cover everything. You could even leave gaps for the information you are given so that you know exactly what is said.

bobbyoscar

Hi,

I'm a teacher and SENCO at my school. I agree with the very good advice you have been given on here.

IEPs are set and reviewed termly (by law), you must be invited to the Review Meeting and must be allowed an input as to what's on it. If you don't agree with a target, you are within your rights to say so and for it to be amended.

I can't believe in this day and age some of my colleagues can treat a child like this - real issues of self esteem here. As has been already stated, make a list of your concerns and ask to see the SENCO and Head Teacher. If, after the meeting, you feel that the issues have not been addressed, write a letter to the Head and copy it to the Director of Education of the LEA listing your concerns. The Education Act is there to safeguard children like your child. I would also contact the British Dyslexia Association for advice (they have been very helpful to me).

You should also not be expected to provide additional equipment for your child, the school should be providing that from their budget; although additional one to one help is a very different matter. With Statementing comes finance and resources, so, unless he is statemented the school does not have to provide one to one help. Although, work should and must be differentiated for him (where appropriate).


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