school suggests to keep DS back a year

[Tambaboy]

Hi all, sorry but this is going to be long, I have posted in SN section also.

DS is in y4 with an 30 hours EHCP. He has ASD and he is currently going through ADHD (inattentive) assessment. He is well below average academically but high average intelligence. He is very young for his age.
His current school has been supporting him nicely and they work very well with our independent SALT and OT.

It's transition time in our LA and we have been looking for schools for DS to go into y5. LEA offered ASD unit attached to mainstream but after a visit we didn't think it was suitable. The other 3 special school in LEA are not suitable either.
Our SENCO recommended a small independent school renowned for being really good with children with SEN but after a taster day DS wasn't offered a place as his reading levels were too low. We were gutted as we loved the school and there was a strong chance the LEA would have funded it.


Our LA is tiny, so we've seen all the schools available. No suitable independent special ones within travelling distance. We went to see a very small independent special school 40 miles away that was very happy to take DS. Unfortunately the travelling times in the morning would be about 1h 20minutes and DS wouldn't cope with that.

DS' school is expanding and will go up to y6 but it's a year too late for DS so he would have to leave at the end of y4. But they are now suggesting he repeats y4 and he'd be able to stay up to y6 this way. They reckon his levels would have gone up enough for him to be admitted at the local independent school after that.

They think it's the best option for DS as they don't think he'll cope very well at any of the mainstream schools.The HT has even contacted LEA senior SEN officer and they said they would agree to it if that's what we wanted.


DH thinks is a good idea, DS wants to try a new school and I don't know what to do! We haven't got many options unfortunately.

What would you do? Any suggestions?

[lljkk]

get it in writing from the senior school

[Tambaboy]

All valid points tiggy, thank you. DS wants a fresh start at a new school, he has only got one friend at the moment and I think he is secretly hoping to meet more children like him in a different setting.

We are meeting with HT next week and I'll ask all the relevant questions.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Looking at it from another angle to tiggy, would the independent accept him into year 4 in September. Your DS gets the fresh start he is keen on and he drops back a year something which seems to be desirable for him.