Is Distance a good reason to refuse LA's approach to an SN School?

Dainty1976

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Hell's Bells - driving through Croydon, West Wickham, Coney Hall, Bromley, Farnborough and all the way to the arz end of Orpington? That's hours driving. Entirely inappropriate for a child who has difficulty in travelling long distances.



To give you an idea, Selsdon to Addington Roundabout can be solid in the mornings. Addington roundabout down the mad mile to Coney Hill is solid. Coney Hill onwards to Farnborough is generally solid. Farnborough to the M25 is solid. Bromley is solid and a complete nightmare to drive through at the best of times, even if you come in from north east of Croydon, Orpington - guess what? solid.

I'd allow several hours if I had an appointment I couldn't miss that far away. Never mind trying to get there for 9am every morning.

Tell me about it!!! And if he manages at first, I'm pretty sure that after a week or so of a 24 mile a day round trip and up to 4 hours in traffic - he will deinitely become agitated by it as any person would tbh and then kick up a fuss enroute. I think its a ludicrous proposition but I'm told they have 1 or maybe 2 other kids from my borough attending there already

Estimating journey times (from experience - I've done that journey many times myself) I'm thinking that he could have to be picked up at around 7am/7.15am and not be back home until up to 5pm!!!!! I dont think thats practical or fair on him!

D&DD

Dainty I've pm'd you
Parent partnership are great here in Sutton where we come under not sure how Croydon are?
I'd really try to show at appeal that the distance is going to be traumatic for him with his sensory issues etc and try to get CAMHS to back this up in writing.
We did all the legwork for the LEA in the end finding a school as they were at a loss as to where our boy 'fitted' too..

DS3(12) is verbal but functions around level of 5 yr old socially etc,has learning diff,dyspraxia,auditory processing disorder,sensory processing disorder,motor probs the usual sort of co-morbids.
The base at GW is definately worth a look as they were all around the same level and the head of base is very good.The support network for parents there is excellent too
http://www.autism.org.uk/directory/browse/cid=87~aid=388/search-results/pg=1.aspx

Edited to add have you looked at Blossom http://www.blossomhouseschool.co.uk/ the kids we know who are in the higher functioning bracket tend to get placed here (had great reports from parents),the Li*k has a very poor rep concerning kids with ASD
Lin*en Brid*e is also fantastic and much closer to us.

sunnyone

I second parent partners, they have been great with both my kids and after a relativily short fight (after reading of other's fights) they were both accepted to schools that they excelled in.

savagevixen

I have a son with High Functionning Autism, Tourettes and severe ADHD. He is now 12. We are lucky with our LEA. They have accepted school placements against our wishes, but when we have argued for our own choice we have won without any real fight. As understand it the parents wishes are very important in these cases.
My son hates journeys and taxi rides. The only suitable school we could find for secondary was 2 hours away. He therefore had to board. The placement broke down after 6 months as he hated being away from home. (We hated it too, but went with the school we felt was right for his needs) He this term has started at an excellent school 26 miles away. His daily journey is 1 hour -1hour 20mins there AND back. It is not the school we chose initially as we did not like the grounds and buildings as much as the one 2 hours away, and we did not want such a long commute for him on a daily basis. The 2 possible local schools with resource bases, refused him due to behavioural problems. He hates the journey (taxi with 1 other boy and escort) and he is not overly keen on the school. It is ok though and they are managing him very well.
To be honest you need to view the schools with an open mind and 1 will feel right. That s what we did, and now we are compromising because he is happier being at home. However I think the 12 mile argument is a non starter. Most children with SEN I know travel a lot further than that for a good school. I think this is completely irrelevant. The choice should be made about which school is right for your son and then there will be no battle as you will be fighting for what is right for your child and you know him better than anyone. My son has to get a taxi at 7.35am and he gets home between 4.30 and 4.45pm. As it is his only option I cant argue with the LEA that it is not fair on him or ridiculous, sadly it is the only option and I am grateful they have recognised his needs and are paying the absolute fortune the school costs.
He has an ipod for the journey, he does not like Nintendos etc, but so far he listens to music and he is adapting. I hope you get the school you feel is right for him.

D&DD

How did the visit go Dainty??
Vixen great post Its so hard to get it right isn't it..we're always left with a constant feeling of guilt!
It's such a shame when they rule our kids out of placements re their behaviour at past schools, as very often its a result of the placement being wrong and breaking down which causes it

Dainty1976

Tahnks for your replies - D&DD Thanks for your PM, I looked at the schools you mentioned and apart from Blossom House, the rest cost the same as Eagle House or are for lower functioning kids. The LA are really arguing costs saying that the panel have to justify to finance why they choose a school at a higher cost so they have to keep sending DS's details to cheaper schools first! Fab advice from you though! I called Blossom House last year and the lady said their kids are really low functioning despite what it says on their prospectus so I didnt go and see it - am going to call again just to double check now though!

Vixen - I had a feeling that distance wouldnt be a great argument!

As for The Browns, I went with an open mind and actually quite liked it. I still think Eagle House is the better place but The Browns do seem to "just get" HFA/Aspergers. DS would be the child lowest on the spectrum if he went there though and they havent had a child as low before however, he measures up to the others kids accademically. Their attitude is extremely caring and the curriculum is excellent. They arent set up with things like outside play stuff - its just a blank playground (I think as its older kids that go there and they would balk at climbing frames etc) so that it a concern as I wonder what exactly DS would do with himself at play/break times. He would have to go in with the 8 & 9 year olds which is also a concern re: social skills development in a peer group however for accademic subject they stream across the school regardless of age so it wouldnt matter what year group he is in for things like numeracy and literacy etc although being 6 years old he'd be way behind the other kids continously which is a worry for his self esteem amongst other things.

They say they are taking in year 2's at the end of next year but personally I'm not sure if it will happen then or later as these schools always seem to say these things to tickle parents ears.

I think they have acknowledged that they may have to get in an extra member of staff to 1-2-1 DS which will drive up the cost of sending him there (kind of counter productive on the cost side for the LA) as he needs support at lunchtimes and in the playground. I noticed that everywhere we went there were boys left on their own ie: standing outside the classrooms, a group of 9 going for morning snack in the dining hall on their own, which is fine for the boys that already go there (they are all able to do that, so why shouldnt they iykwim) but not for DS as he cant manage without an adult nearby. However, I think he will be able to manage such things in a couple of years time when he is a little older and has developed the skills to be more independant.

I can see the potential of The Browns but I think they would have to make alot of adjustments for DS with things that their boys dont currently need help with. I"m SO CONFUSED tbh.

Re: Journey time, it took me 45 mins just after rush hour, and I met a parent who lives in New Addington whilst I was there (her son who is Dyslexic started there 3 weeks ago) and she said if you go through The Lanes (which I always forget about) it only takes her 15 mins to drop her boy there - which is fab.

My major concerns are about peer groups across the board and am concerned about whether or not they can provide enough physio and OT for DS as I met the resident OT who told me that as facilities at the school arent developed enough, she has the kids go to her house before and after school for sessions of 1-2-1 - which I think I am definitely NOT ok with!

HELP!! Am I being too fussy? A friend says I should just give it a go and see if it works for DS but I'm nervous about putting DS through another inappropriate setting experience.

DS is going there for 2 days next week so they can evaluate him - but I am not happy to keep putting him through these "assessments" as it just confuses him - he doesnt know whether he's going to stay each time you know - I mean he's only 6!!!

D&DD

Pleased the visit went well Dainty and no you're not being too fussy! I can remember one reason I thought a school was unsuitable for my son (amongst others obviously) was the fact the vent in the gym made a horrendous noise and he would freak out

re the playground I can totally see what you mean my boy moans as his is 'empty' now he's in yr8 and he still loves swings and slides,but hopefully if parents mention this to the LEA and ths school if they are going to be catering for younger children something will probably be put in place.

What is a normal size class and staff/child ratio?? My son has 3 members of staff to 6 children at present I think 2 or 3 to 8 kids is more usual though.

The good thing is your LEA is trying to help now at a young age and I swear early intervention is the key

OT sounds a bit iffy :eek: so may need a word with regards to that.Is there a sensory room there?Again if the LEA want parents to use these schools this is something they should be working towards.

Dainty1976

Well, todays the day - DS is going for 2 days at School - deep breath.....:undecided.... and holding it!!!