Senco/Aspergers

mollsnan

Is it unreasonable to request meeting with Senco/new class teacher before term starts? Advised to do so by consultant paediatrician, but school secretary has said we must wait until child starts back. Any advice thoughts appreciated. Thanks

GwylimT

I would have thought either child's first day or inset day would be the best.

touch*my*food*feel*myfork

within the first few days back - bare in mind that the inset days will have already been booked with training courses/someone coming into the school for them to learn new skills/or update skills

springdreams

The SENCO is on holiday before the new school year starts, and may even have gone away.

I would try for the second or third week after the school has gone back because the SENCO tends to spend the first week or two trying to settle all the new special needs children in, so has quite a busy schedule at the beginning of the new school year.

mollsnan

Many thanks for replies. Just concerned things have changed since last term, and school's approach to g.daughter are opposite to that advised by paediatrician. Don't feel headmistress will have much time as there are obviously so many other children.

ellesbellesxxx

Absolutely within first couple of weeks back, not beforehand. Teacher/Senco might even be away on holiday... my school would not expect any staff to be having meeting during holidays.

pleasedelete

The new SEN code of practice comes into place from September- only went through parliament by skin of teeth on 29th July. This will affect all children on current SEN register and mean changes for parents and children.

The SENco and class teacher will be on holiday. An inset day is not a good time as that day is part of their annual CPD entitlement (not a day for meetings).

Ask to make an appointment once the school is fully open. Timing depends on if the SENco has a class teaching commitment.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/338195/Code_of_Practice_approved_by_Parliament_290714.pdf

jackyann

Although I think the above replies sensible in many ways, I do think it depends on your reasons.
If you think that something really needs to be in place before day 1, then explain to the school secretary, and ask if you can email a summary of points to the SENCo.
Also consider the set-up in the paediatrician's office: if this is a community paediatrician with good school liaison, consider contacting them to ask for an appointment with the specialist nurse / school nurse (exact details of how this is organised can vary)

duchy

jackyann wrote: »

Although I think the above replies sensible in many ways, I do think it depends on your reasons.
If you think that something really needs to be in place before day 1, then explain to the school secretary, and ask if you can email a summary of points to the SENCo.
Also consider the set-up in the paediatrician's office: if this is a community paediatrician with good school liaison, consider contacting them to ask for an appointment with the specialist nurse / school nurse (exact details of how this is organised can vary)

Bit late for that now. The SENCO won't be back in school until probably the day before term starts. The email is unlikely to be read before then (I certainly don't read let alone respond to work emails when I'm on annual leave and I wouldn't expect teachers to either) and even if read there won't be time to make changes.

I could be pretty demanding with a SENCO I wasn't happy with when my Aspergers son was at school but even I wouldn't have chased up in August.

The sensible and reasonable course of action would be to call and schedule a meeting on the first or second day of term for the following week or the week after.

moomoomama27

You won't get anywhere with a meeting with staff before the first day of school at least. Of course you could put in writing and send it, they may read it before the children go back.

mrsmortenharket

It's too late now. But I met with the Senco before my son started reception last September. It can be done once you've had the acceptance from the school. Just call them up and say my child is starting in September he has XYZ so I would like to arrange to meet the Senco to discuss. That's what I did.