Had a mortgage too long - it's going, going, gone!

maggiem

Hi, just reading and didn't want to read and run. School should have someone in place who can make access arrangements with the exam board, often a specially trained teacher. Usually up to 25% time can be added. If it is due to tiring after having written for a period of time then the way forward might be to check what more he could do with the additional time for example by writing in a different coloured pen at the end of time. He should not be disadvantaged by hyper mobility. There is a speed of writing test too on the PATOSS website. If he goes to an independent school they may suggest getting an Educational Psychologist assessment instead.

Good luck - and even if school resist if his preferred method of recording is typing he should be allowed to do that.

hiddenshadow

Hope DS gets the support he needs. I have hyper mobile joints as well, but never thought of that as a cause of pain when writing...thought it was just my horrible penmanship! :rotfl:

Watty1

No ideas but good luck with the school.

Ali-OK

Thanks all. Picked that up today...school were more open to my concerns and DS was spoken to as well - different SENCO too. Waiting on next steps but will chase up with time being of the essence.

Hidden :rotfl: I was amazed at the variety of pens the physio tried him with to find one that he can grip, but his thumb joint is all over the place the minute he puts pen to paper. It's also his party trick!

Extension plans are almost ready to submit for Building Regs approval - £132 sent to architect to pay on my behalf. She's not contracted to do the full spec ones (with sockets lights etc) - I'm going to print current ones on A1 and do the detail in pencil myself with input from the DIYers who are tradesmen anyway.

Another P!necone paid survey has just arrived.

I've filled the Tesco 3% account by moving some tax/ni money in there to get maximum interest from that.

Seem to have had a busy day but not achieved alot and spent an hour on the phone to DB catching up - that's tonight's job of food shop pushed back then

AlexLK

Sounds like a good day, Ali.

Sorry to hear about school not being particularly supportive. Any reason why they won't let him use a laptop for exams if he finds that easier?

Ali-OK

No straight answer Alex - 'last resort', 'there are children far worse than him who don't have one', 'he'll speed up' :mad: I said I'd pay for it if funding was the issue too, made no difference.

AlexLK

:mad: :mad: :mad: Schools are meant to support their pupils as much as they can. I cannot see how it would do them any harm for your son to type rather than write with a pen if this would help him in exams. Both your son and the school would see a benefit in his results, presumably.

If I were a parent in this situation I'd be writing a formal complaint to the Headmaster and Chair of Governors.

Ali-OK

Am hoping the conversation today will result in a positive outcome - those comments were from previous conversations. I should have kept on the case back then.

AlexLK

Good luck, Ali. You need to keep chasing school as I have found my son's to be rather lazy at times. Unfortunately, I think this is how state funded schools are as the parents have no real control.

I can't say I've always been impressed with the attitude from my son's school regarding some of the concerns I have raised. I remember you saying a long time ago your son was put forward as a gifted and talented child during Reception IIRC. I have spoken to my son's school about this and they won't put him forward because they believe his ability comes from my "careful coaching" and therefore my son is not a gifted or talented child. :mad: This is despite him working above target for a Reception aged child in all subjects and being a very able musician for his age, playing with children 2 or more years older in an orchestra. However, the school think it apt to label my son average because I ensure he gets an education at home.

Ali-OK

A difficult one with G&T as it's down to the HT as you know. DS was 7, almost 8 when he did Kids Uni but I can't remember if they told me they'd put him on the register earlier than that - was a surprise anyhow. He'd been at the school and attached nursery unit since 3/4 years old so probably evaluated over a lengthy period. Give it time and don't make yourself a pushy parent in school's eyes

DS has now got a letter through about doing National Citizen Service, apparently favoured by Unis and employers. He's up for it, so another thing on the To Do list.

Been to the bank today and little is working right in there...auto door broken and now manual, paying in machine out of order, till drawer they can't open for withdrawing cash and 1 poor cashier with a queue of 8 :eek:. All going downhill.

Not much to report yet today, food shop tonight to do and hopefully a fairly relaxing weekend.