Does anyone homeschool?

Amanda65

EllieA wrote: »

The reason I havnt had him statemented is because with the help and support of an amazing primary school he has thrived. At the time I didn't see what he needed a bit of paper for. I was getting all the help I needed without it and I was concerned what that label would mean. Tbh I was scared of getting it

I can completely understand but just double check with his primary school what they had him categorised as. I was a parent governor at my children's junior school and chair of the SEN committee and know that by getting a statement, or school action plus (several years ago so names may have changed now!) the school received extra funding for support. Without this the school would have had to fund his extra support out of their normal budget so whilst he wouldn't have a statement as you would have had to apply for that, they may have something on record that would help.

I would try very hard now to get him a statement as the secondaary school may look more 'favourably' on an application that will mean extra funding and hope that this is enough to get him in where you want. Although it is unlikely that it will be in time for the appeals process it may mean that you can get him in early in the term - remember circumstances change / people move so keep him on the waiting list! I would also question why the SEN co-ordinator at your son's school didn't advise this when you (presumably) discussed his secondary school options with her / him.

Good luck

pigpen

Without a statement they don't have to take special needs into account, but a lot of schools will anyway.. but then some who already have a high number of unsatemented SEN children will reject others on that basis.. they get a budget and that is it for provision for SEN so the fewer they have the better the teaching for those childen whereas statemented children come with their own budget so take less money from the overall school budget... es it is all about money unfortunately.

Speak to the LEA SEN dept and the SENCo at the primary school and get letters of support from his teacher, senco, medical practitioners, therapists etc.. documented reasons from people other than you to back up your case. They tell everyone they can appeal but not to bother in the hope most don't... so you are in with a chance just by appealling because most won't bother.

It is too late to request a statement in order to secure a place, it takes a good 18 months in most places and some authorities won't even do them any more.. they won't here unless the child has profound mental and physical disability.. not one or the other, both!

Gigglepig

Perhaps try to contact a local autism support group for help? I have heard that it can take a LONG time to get a statement, and that in the current climate there available support is very limited, so it may be good to get help to avoid potential delays and pitfalls.

Spendless

It does make me cross that areas promote that there is 'choice' when it comes to school places, but what there really is is 'a right to express a preference' with no guarantee you will get it. In addition you are probably looking at a big school group this year as it is the millenium babies intake.

I do know of a couple of mums with autistic children that have sent them to a 'special needs' school for the Secondary years, as they've felt that mainstream secondary would be too much for them. How easy/hard this would be to get into without currently having a statment I don't know, nor if you have anything like this in your area.

Is it worth trying to get the statement and appealing using this as grounds?

Sorry, I might be mistaking you for someone else with a similar username, but I didn't think you were a lone parent, in which case couldn't your OH take on the home-schooling whilst you continue to work?

EllieA_3

No I'm not a lone parent and my husband could help with home schooling but hs not got much of an education himself and honestly isn't patient enough with our son to make a good teacher I could imagine him getting very frustrated.

I really think my sonis best in main stream education he isn't severe enough to warrent a special school and he is currently thriving I'm just trying to ensure that continues hence needing a main stream schoolwilling and able to deal withhis condition

The school we picked has an excellent record with autism hence we picked it

Nicki

Spendless wrote: »

Is it worth trying to get the statement and appealing using this as grounds?

She definitely won't be able to do this! The time limit to lodge an appeal is 21 days. The statementing process has several statutory steps which all have their own time limits which far exceeds 21 days. Even in a clear cut case a statement couldn't be rushed through in 21 days and from what OP has posted it might be borderline whether her son would qualify for a statement or not. Being autistic isn't enough in itself, the child has to have significant educational needs which can't be met on school action plus, and it sounds from what OP has said he has actually been managing fine on either school action or school action plus levels.

Even without a statement though she can appeal on the grounds her son has special educational needs. Its just that if she had a statement the local authority would name the appropriate school on it and the school would then have to take the child or go to tribunal to have the statement amended. Without a statement, the child's needs are just a factor to be considered and as pigpen has said it could go for or against him that he is not so severely affected as to need a statement and the additional school funding that brings to the school.

Moneybot

EllieA wrote: »

Unfortunatly school is the only place he socialises which is why it was so important to get him into the right one, he won't do clubs or sports i've tried many many times but he hates and creates such a fuss it spoil's it for the other children.

If school is the only place he socialises then home schooling is not that great an option unless your area has a net work of home schooled kids that you could link into.

Home schooling secondary aged children is a big time commitment for you if you work.

Spendless

Nicki wrote: »

She definitely won't be able to do this! The time limit to lodge an appeal is 21 days. The statementing process has several statutory steps which all have their own time limits which far exceeds 21 days. Even in a clear cut case a statement couldn't be rushed through in 21 days and from what OP has posted it might be borderline whether her son would qualify for a statement or not. Being autistic isn't enough in itself, the child has to have significant educational needs which can't be met on school action plus, and it sounds from what OP has said he has actually been managing fine on either school action or school action plus levels.

Even without a statement though she can appeal on the grounds her son has special educational needs. Its just that if she had a statement the local authority would name the appropriate school on it and the school would then have to take the child or go to tribunal to have the statement amended. Without a statement, the child's needs are just a factor to be considered and as pigpen has said it could go for or against him that he is not so severely affected as to need a statement and the additional school funding that brings to the school.

I wasn't thinking she'd get it in time before she lodges an appeal, but wondered if it would have any effect on the appeal, if you were to be in the process of getting one?

Not being rude Ellie, but what did you think would happen with the Secondary school applications? Yr 6 here, is enormous, something I've been aware of since my sons playgroup days, when you couldn't get them in.

kafkathecat

Hi, I home educate. Even if it isn't your preferred option contact Education Otherwise and find out as much as you can. I don't know where you are but in most areas there are local groups and activities for socialisation and sometimes education too. If you are anywhere in London I can give you more info if that would help. I have met many home educated children who are on the autistic spectrum too it can really suit them. There are yahoo forums too which may be able to give you more advice. Home education doesn't need to be hard. There are lots of resources available. I am happy to answer any other questions you may have but hope you sort out the school if that is your preferred option.

onlyroz

It sounds like you've been seriously misadvised - with a statement you'd have been able to walk into the school of your choice. At least that's how it works in my LEA. Why are you so adamant that the other schools in your area would be no good?