Statementing officer called to say the moderation panel felt special school was more appropriate for dd1's needs. I had been thinking along those lines too but still a shock not to have to argue for it and to have them suggest it!
DD1's school is lovely, they have small class sizes and thought very hard about who is in class with dd1 as she tends to be aggressive and also her unclear speech means she could be a target for bullying if with the wrong children. Children and parents understand and have been kind but I know she is feeling the differences now and that she would benefit from more personal curriculum but am still really sad to leave our lovely school that we walk to and know everyone at, then I feel selfish as its not about me. Anyone offer some words of wisdom?
Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.
SN children
Please would you talk to me about your experiences of going from mainstream to special school?
used2bthin · 31/10/2012 08:25
Well that's great that they're offering your DD a place at SS. My DS4 is now at SS. We struggled through one and half terms at MS. He got progressively worse and would spend every day in the sensory room.
When we got the call to say that the panel had all agreed to put him in SS I was delighted. We did four transition days. The first two with his TA, who said that by the second she felt like a spare part as she realised that the SS had quickly worked him out and knew exactly how to work with. The other thing they did was send us home with a laminated photograph album of all the important places in the school including the staff in his class and his classmates. We used it after the Easter holidays when he started the new school to explain where he was going the next day and as a reminder in the morning.
All I can say is that it's been fantastic for him. Two terms in and it really is the best place for him. The staff are all lovely. Everyone knows his name and greets him on the way in.
We decided not to do school transport as I like taking him in and collecting him. I usually walk him into class, though nearly all children are on school transport and collected from the buses by the staff. The school have been really warm and welcoming and it is really the happiest place. 
Thanks sallybear, that is helpful to know. I know that mainstream is not working out for my dd either, she is only ok when very very closely supported by her one to one TA.
I feel a bit like that about our current school in that everyone knows her name and greets us as we arrive but then I suspect everyone knows dd as she stands out iyswim so even though she seems popular enough, long term her needs are so different.
I will have to drive her as we are less than three miles away which is ok but a shame as we are literally over the road from current school, it was important to me to walk her in at the time we bought this place 
Did your DS find the change upsetting? DD1 is happy mostly to go to school but acts up when there. She does say "no like school" a lot though.
Oh and sadly no space at ss yet so they are going to do a similar thing and have the TA take her across a few times a week. It may be a long transition though, possibly she won't go fully till next sept.
Used2b stop beating yourself up! It will be a fresh start for her and a new chapter for all of you. 
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