has anyone had a child start secondary school on NC level 2?

[bjkmummy]

just wondered how they got on - how did they cope with the academic side and what support did they have? this is fast approaching to be the reality I may be facing with my daughter next year and as its now a matter of months before I have to name a mainstream placement im worried - currently we don't have a statement (fingers crossed they say yes in a months time) but in reality will she be able to even access a mainstream secondary - her main barrier at the moment is dyslexia but could be other things as well

[Teawaster]

I think it would depend on the reasons for her being level 2 . If it's because of a global learning delay, then I would think mainstream would be difficult for a child on level 2 but if it's because of a lack of support at school and a statement would provide adequate support then I think it could be ok. I would have thought that if dyslexia is the only barrier, then mainstream may be more appropriate.
My DS moved to a special unit attached to mainstream in year 3 , he was given a statement. The Ep wasn't sure what was causing his difficulties. Subsequent testing by EP and ASD testing resulted in an AS diagnosis and specific processing difficulties. DS finished primary on level 3. He is doing really well in mainstream secondary and has a 1 to 1. He is not bottom of the class in anything and has just finished year 8. The other 4 children in the unit in primaryall finished on a level 2 and all went to a special secondary school but I think most had a diagnosis of global delay. I do remember a girl a year behind DS in the special unit who had severe dyslexia and who was weaker than DS academically. She went to a mainstream secondary and was doing find the last time I met her mum. I hope your Dd's statement comes through and she gets the support she needs

[bjkmummy]

it all changed this week after I posted this as she was diagnosed with ASD. it is felt that she will not cope in a mainstream secondary due to the academics, social side and also she has quite significant sensory difficulties so looks like we will now be looking at a more specialised secondary school for her. good to hear that others have done in mainstream school which is what initially we had hoped would work but now she has become much more complex for it to work

[KOKOagainandagain]

A boy in the same year as DS1 did. He was 'only' severely dyslexic and the m/s primary and secondary seemed to be able to deal very effectively with him. He already had a statement and so his parents were able to select an out of catchment secondary school for him. He had no sensory issues, can travel independently on a bus and is very good at sports. He gets status with NT boys who admire his football skills and his ability to do a back-flip on the flat. He has older siblings and has street cred - he is much more worldly wise than DS1 (who is finally coming into his own in comparison to his peers as they hit the difficult teenage years ).

It very much depends on the child and you know your DD best. What does she want? What do you think she will need?

btw year 6 is all about SATs (or at least it was). As children below level 3 do not sit the papers they are practically invisible whilst all attention is on percentage of level 4s and percentage of 2 flat levels progress between ks1 and ks2. The school will probably want to get her to level 3 (most NT kids ks2 scores are exaggerated) which is perfectly normal as I was assured again and again.

[KOKOagainandagain]

By my own experience of DS1 being diagnosed by Margo at the same stage of statementing I have to say that it made no difference to the proposed (10 hours whole class/small group/individual support with no salt or OT) which remained the same until the day of the hearing. This may be your biggest battle yet

[bjkmummy]

there are only going to be 3 year 6s - one is statemented and one is my daughter and I think the other child may have difficulties as well. I know that at this stage margo wont make a significant difference and its unlikely her report will be in before the first statement comes anyway but its definitely for the longer battle im looking at. we are seeing daphne keen in September as well and then im going to no doubt need an EP as well. keep - did they conceded loads on the morning of your hearing?