school action and school action plus

bobbyoscar

sportmonkey666, You should find a Parent Partnership group local to you. Although they are independent, they are on 'your side' and will quickly be able to tell you what to do and, they have 'clout' with the LEA and will have to be listened to.

I sincerely hope that things work out for you and your family.

Good luck and best wishes.
xxx

Poppy9

I have no experience of this but from reading your post I would be looking for a new school. I realise this might not help unless someone can recommend a school to you that has strong leadership that values all pupils.

From your original post it sounds as if the reception teacher was trying to be helpful and rightly identified your son needed extra support but it seems you've been let down by the system.

Your local authority website should provide details on how a school should deal with your son's needs and what can expect with regard to the system.

You should copy your letter to the school Board of Governors too.

Good luck x

sportmonkey666

Hello everyone,

I have just received a phonecall from the SENCO at my sons school to confirm that my letter of concerns have been received and that she will reply to them with a letter(which is fine by me as I will have written proof of any correspondence with them) that should be with me within the next few days she just wanted to let me know so I wasn't sat around waiting for something to happen(which I must admit I found laughable), she also went on to say that she will arrange a meeting so that I can come in and discuss a new IEP and also that she really wants to PUSH this(?) and be sure that my sons needs are assessed and met. She also mentioned that she herself has not been dealing with my son as she has been off for a long time. I have decided to save any further questions until I have read the letter. The SENCO sounded really genuine so hopefully things should improve from now on(fingers crossed).

sportmonkey666

Well quite a lot has happened over the past few weeks, went in school to speak to the SENCO(lovely lady couldn't applogise more) who went through his new IEP which was only updated in jan from the original IEP which was for SA wrote in nov 2010 this consisted of targets-to complete class work in a set time, and of a certain standard, staff in class to assist as and when.

I had noticed over the past couple of years my ds 'needs to have something in his pocket' thought it may be because he was concerntrating on not flapping(as his teacher mentioned back in nov that he very rarely does it,yet doesn't stop at home)after reading through the paperwork I had received in dec I noticed that everything started to go wrong with his behaviour when he was given an option to put something out of his pocket in his tray or in the teachers draw but NOT in his pocket...this was continued by his new teacher after they sent him to a new class because his old teacher could not cope with him.

I asked if he could bring some blu-tack or string in his pocket(pointing out the above) SENCO agreed and added it to the IEP. Several days later his head teacher asked me to come in for a meeting, basically his form teacher doesn't think there is a prob with ds he is nowhere near as bad as the other 28 pupils in his class therefore will not treat him any different, he refuses to write because he doesn't want to, he flaps ALL the time when he is doing something he wants, either take the blu-tac off the IEP(because all the other children will want to do the same????) or move him to a different class. Stood my ground didn't want him moving because the EP is coming out to assess and the end of this month, and if the thing in pocket isn't anything to do with his flapping then it must be for another reason?? I am hoping it is nothing to do with anxiety because going by the way the form teacher spoke to me I can only imagine what he would be like with a class of 6 yr olds did point out that I would be documenting everything that my son tells me from now on, and surprise surprise his bad dreams have stopped!

I was also given a load of unfinished work which ds had taken all morning and most of the afternoon to do most days(which now explains why he is behind on most of the curriculum)...with support, find this slightly unbelievable as he can complete his homework with me giving him v little support. I have had to go onto the internet to learn anything he is sent because he can not tell me what he did in class?? he tells me maths is easy yet he is working on P8(think that was what it said on IEP) level because he struggles?

He has since been sneeking a car in his other pocket(didn't think I knew until I asked him about it) and he has told me he sits and spins the wheels in lesson?? but carn't tell me why. and also a rubber in place of the blu tac because he calls himself mistake boy(he is the only one in class that gets things wrong, and has to stay in at break to do it again...although the form teacher said he has an option to finish in class or at break?)

Just want the EP to tell me what she can as the headmaster has now decided theres something there but they don't know what??????????? confused.com!

daska

Well done for standing your ground. Do you have the date and time for the EP? Make sure you're there, even if the school doesn't invite you or tries to put you off, assemble anything useful that you can think of - previous school documentation, diary of incidents/suspected triggers etc, interesting/problem/suprising behaviours (birth onwards), red book etc. It all helps to provide a fuller picture.

Forgot to suggest IPSEA. There's lots of information on their site and a chat with them can be very useful.

Did you get ParentPartnership involved?

peachyprice

Is there anything you can sew into his pocket that is washable but still tactile for him to fiddle with, that they can't take away? A piece of elastic or a large button perhaps?

My son is dyspraxic amongst other things and had similar problems at school, he couldn't sit still and face front and learn at the same time, it would take all his effort for him to look like he was paying attention that he didn't have a clue what the teacher was talking about. They finally gave up and let him fiddle and move in his chair, it made a huge difference. Even now at 16 he's a squirmer and if he's using his hands his leg jigs instead.

sportmonkey666

Hi yes Daska the SENCO made sure I was aware and also told me that the EP would be wanting some details of ds history....think that will be the hardest sooo many red flags (as I have now found out) unfortunatly i spent too much time looking at what I was doing wrong , and yes I contacted pp the lady was discusted by his first IEP(off the record) said it was the worst she had ever seen also explained my rights in regards to his new IEP and reviews etc very helpful. I have been doing a diary but his behaviour is no where near the same as it is at school, I have also started to make notes of the little things that have stuck in my head over the years...you know the ones that make you think 'ok that was a little strange...but carry on'.

Thats a good idea peachy will have to try that...just counting the days now till he leaves this teachers class, with him its a case of my way or not at all, but then whose to say he doesn't end up with someone even worse? just wish this month would move a bit quicker.

bobbyoscar

Hello again, glad to hear that things are beginning to move in the right direction for you. (I had been wondering how you were getting on.) Glad to hear that PP were helpful. Please let us know how you get on with the EP.

sportmonkey666

Hi everyone, Finally met with the EP who was a very lovely straight talking lady(which I liked v much) she said going by what I had said during the meeting there is an underpining reason for DS's behaviour at school but it can not be due to autism-poss PDD(?), unfortunatly she suggested that I take parenting classes(this is the second time it has been suggested ) which I find very annoying because I have no major probs with DS at home! We have rules/routine/stable family enviroment/fun.

Anyhow she will be observing him next month and then wants to meet with me again to discuss. we also have an initial appointment with CAMHS on 1st april does anyone have any ideas of what this may involve?

Poppy9

Perhaps you shouldn't look at "parenting" classes as a criticism of your current parenting skills. There is no manual on perfect parenting but sometimes the way we interact with our children isn't always the best for them i.e. parents can play good cop/bad cop and because they feel it provides balance but it can be confusing for children or the smart child realises what the parents are doing and plays them off against one another!

Now my DD is old enough to answer back she tells me I'm a hypocrite and gives examples - she's right:o

All children behave different at home to outside the home so the classes maybe an opportunity to watch your son in a non home environment!