SEN school teachers/parents

[headachehair]

How do you feel about schools going back? (whenever that is). Do you think it will be sooner rather than later given the smaller class sizes and EHCP content that isn't being delivered or do you think it will be later as children may be classed as vulnerable?

My son is autistic and in a specialist autism school with a fairly good academic focus and lots of therapy. He's been out of school (basically everyone else's lockdown now was our life complete with giving up work) for 2 of the 4 years he's been at primary school due to reduced timetables, exclusions and festering on the desk of the LEA while they 'couldn't find him a school'. Not a jot of work was compelled for 2 years.

He's been in his school for 2 terms and the difference was transformational. Happy, engaged, learning, making friends. Now we're are back to nothing. He's done no work (home is home, school is school) and won't leave the house. Medication upped etc. School closed except for key worker children.

His class has 8 children in a big classroom with 2 adults and own bathroom - 3 sinks. Big site with room to flex flow of children. I'm really hoping his school can go back first as I think the benefit outweighs the risk but am I being unreasonable? Am I missing anything obvious about the risks in this type of school? I need to mentally prepare myself......

[supermanisdead]

If he has an EHCP he can go to school.

[headachehair]

@supermanisdead if only that were actually true in real life!

His whole school have EHCPs and they had to close due to lack of staff. They will only take keyworker children like most other schools do.

[vickibee]

My son couldn’t attend mainstream with an ehcp because he did not do social distancing. He was expected to sit in an isolation booth all day nad not talk to anyone. He just couldn’t as they well know because it says just that in his plan.

[GinJeanie]

Hiya @headachehair. So sorry to hear that your son is struggling at home - that's so hard, particularly as he's been so settled.
My understanding is that the main focus has to be on everyone's safety and things will have to be done differently/ possibly staggered re return. I work in a special school and social distancing will be very difficult. Although a class of 8 sounds small, even in a big room, when the students have complex needs it can be tricky -our staff/pupil ratios aren't great at the best of times due to budget and some of our younger students can display behaviours such as biting/spitting when anxious. Despite classes being smaller not a huge number of students are currently in (e.g.those who are looked after/have a social worker).
We really don't know yet but I've heard that our whole school won't return at once - possibly part-time/in shifts? Obviously some students have complex health needs so they may be shielded and not return for a longer while.
Sorry not to be a huge help but I think it's unlikely to be f/t straight away. I hope I'm wrong for your son's sake though - take care.

[Piixxiiee]

I work in a special school, we've open to key worker kids and the vulnerable. This is being widened as of next week and head teacher is bringing more kids back- maybe vulnerable, maybe parents asking, respite. It's worth asking school again.
No social distancing for us with these kids. Get in with it attitude. Gloves and manic cleaning but no masks.... it's definitely a danger and just waiting for someone to catch it and spread it....

[Pinkrose27]

My son is a boarder at a specialist independent college He’s going back on Monday. It’s been a difficult 6 weeks to put it mildly. We’ve still got a best interests meeting virtually tomorrow to do but I’m hoping they don’t change their minds. He’s out daily with two support workers but only for a walk. He’s at no more risk at college than at home. We fought tooth and nail for funding and I don’t want him missing any more time.

[lemonsandlimes123]

Pinkrose - Your son may be no more at risk at college than he is as home but by sending him to college you will be putting teaching and support staff at risk. Therefore overall there are far more people at risk if your son attends college than if he is at home. I find it astounding that you don't even seem to be taking that into consideration.