KS2 SATs - school pressure are there any reasonable adjustments allowed

[FrayedHem]

DS1 ASD, Yr 6, statemented. DS1's school are under massive pressure to improve their results. School is now a constant day of tests and assessments and he really is not coping well. He is agitated at school and at home. School have noted he is upset during the tests.

He has always struggled with handwriting. School have been doing extra work with him on this. I didn’t know this and DS1 rarely talks about school so when he had an outburst about handwriting I put a note in his communication book. I said I was encouraging him to keep trying and just letting them know he was upset.

I got a long note back about the handwriting target they have set as there are extra marks on the SATs. And if he applies himself it will improve.

I am not even sure he will be able to sit the SATs at this rate. He'll either go to an ASD unit or be home ed for secondary. Are there any adjustments available? Does he just have to put up with another 6 months of tests?

Any advice most welcome.

[Ineedmorepatience]

No he doesnt have to do them!

You can refuse permission and they can disapply him.

Having said that he will still be subjected to the pressure and daily whining about targets and levels.

I would also take him out now.

Good luck

[FrayedHem]

Most of the DC at DS's school learnt nothing last year - Yr 2 KS1 SATs result - 0%. Not 1 child reached the expected standard!

I was thinking of withdrawing now, but we are in the midst of the EHCP transfer and I want to keep it (assuming we get it!) for insurance if HE doesn't work out. If I leave it closer to May he will have endured a lot of pressure and get none of the after-SATs treats.

I can sense their frustration at him having meltdowns in the tests and they can't understand why he is getting upset.

I've turned down the afternoon school SATs boosters but even the yr5 class DS2 is in is doing past SATs paper "for fun".

I just wondered if there was anything I could wave at the school that said "Hey Teacher leave that kid alone" apart from the Pink Flold lyrics.

[FrayedHem]

Ooh x-post

How do I withdraw him? Just write a letter to the Head?

I'm quite confident he could tune out their SATs talk if I could get him a pass on the tests themselves. That is one of his strengths

Thanks for the replies

[FrayedHem]

No I mean if I withdraw him just before the exams to get the EHCP, he will have none of the benefits. I wouldn't keep him there just for the treats!

I think the LA is more likely to take the opportunity not to issue a EHCP and I just don't want to risk that. They've been very obstructive through the process so far.

[FrayedHem]

I'll give them a try tomorrow. Google seems to suggest the Head can withdraw but relationships are a little fraught between us atm.

I've also had a message from his maths teacher to tell DS1 he just needs to stay calm and collected to pass them. I'm just off to scream into a pillow!