is this bag childish for year 7

Haven't heard about this rule. This is by far the least problematic thing about East London secondary schools though...

I would say it’s childish and far too small. Go with a sports rucksack. Much safer and the better size.

Yes it is but of he likes it just go with it. Has he chosen it?

This bag looks great OP. Tell him it’s the bag he’s getting, he can pick it he wants black or green.

Could you get him a keyring or something he could attach to the bag that he likes but keep it to a black large bag.
If hes going to struggle with organising himself the bigger the bag the easier it is.

How does that fit in with the new rules that schools can only insist on three logoed items of uniform? Have they taken something else off?

I’m a bit 🙄 at any school/academy that bans logos on shoes but then insists every other item of clothing has the school one on it. Particularly ones in deprived areas.

My son sounds similar to yours but he wouldn't take even a Hype backpack to secondary school, or even Year 6 at primary. He has a plain black Puma bag and all his friends have similar black bags, either branded or unbranded. This year he wants a black Nike one. I think either black, branded or not or a coloured branded bag.

I showed him this post and he says there's no one at his school with bags like those. On a purely practical point they'll be far too small as well.

I was also very worried about him starting secondary school as his best friend went to a different school but he's much happier there than at primary and made new friends very quickly.

Hmm

ultimately it is the luck of the draw. If he is not a very confident and unbothered type, I might choose a different backpack for him

If you’re worried about bullying I would get him a plain backpack vans or Nike etc. unfortunately kids will bully no matter what but I wouldn’t give them ammunition by sending him with a Jurassic park backpack.

All academies in Hackney and Tower Hamlets have very strict rules on uniform. Not even allowed things like black shoes with visible logos on them (so no Kickers etc).

https://www.trutexhackney.com/collections/types?q=Rucksack

Respectfully I didn’t say push for an EHCP and all will be well. I work in a field that deal with the education/SEN system daily and am well aware of its failings. An EHCP does not solve everything but it provides options.

My own son has an EHCP (a pretty crap one) but post 16 it has helped him access college courses and supported internships that would not have been available or open to him without one. The OP absolutely should push for an EHCP.

My GS is similarly diagnosed and wanted a similar backpack. His mother refused and bought him a plain black one last September. Do not buy the one he wants

Our school only allow plain black bags probably for this reason.

I don’t know if it’s different where I live (Australia) but it’s quite ok for kids to have different styles of backpack and bag charms, plush figures etc. hanging from their bags and not get bullied. My kids are at a large school too. It’s such a shame kids can’t just enjoy what they like without others spoiling it for them.

What about getting him on safety aspect. My son has a proviz bag. It’s reflective as he cycles. But he might think a reflective bag is cool.

Secondary school teacher here... The school can apply for an EHCP for you in September. Show them the evidence you have of the diagnosis and then the SEN team can fill in the request form for you.
As for the bag they are quite child like aren't they and look a bit small? If he has to take any books home he'll need a bigger one. Maybe look for Sonic or Jurassic Park but in a more subtle pattern? I know Vinted is cheaper but if it eleviates your worries then it will be worth paying a bit more money. I hope he settles when he starts.

Slip on shoes or elastic laces. My daughter has the sketchers for PE that are slip on but look like laced up usual trainers.

I work in a secondary school. Please don’t send him in with that bag.
A plain black Nike or Adidas backpack would work, with a small Sonic the Hedgehog badge or patch sewn on. You’ll be able to find loads online.

Should add - she did get bullied all year by a person who pretty much bullied everyone. Nothing to with what pencil case or backpack she had.

Hi op
I wanted to comment on this post as a mum of a DD going in to year 8. I tried to do what I thought was best like this parent. Truth is it was the worse decision I made. She was miserable. Struggled to make friends because she actually didn’t feel like her. She felt “ weird “ didn’t feel like she belonged anywhere. Over time we added bits of pieces like a different pencil case that she chose. Now she has a Spider-Man back pack, no Nike trainers etc
she is so much happier being her and actually when she was able to be her she made friends. The right friends that like her for who she is. Is she everyone’s taste ? No ! But it didn’t matter she has friends, she is confident with her choices and her self. We started focusing on that and teaching her to stick up for her self and be confident and she had thrived since.

Also sonetimes you need to be a tough parent. He'll get ripped to shreds with that bag. It helps he has a brother in year 11 as that may buy him some protection. But absolutely no to either bag. You are literally sticking a tarhet on his back.

We have a lot if autism in out family. With my DCs one of them is like your son. You're giving him too much choice and its overwhelming. Pick 2 appropriate ones and givd him the choice of them, so he still has a choice. But explain to him why, they do take it on board and be brutal in terms of telling him he will become an easy target for bullies on day 1 if he takes a babyish bag. (buy him it to use at weekends if absolutely needed). They understand things if you point out things in that way. And get elastic laces, not velcro shoes.

He will probably stand out anyway at some points, but dont set him uo for being the one that everybody else bonds with as labelling weird on the first day.

Get the EHCP ball rolling now, you've got 3 weeks and at least it flags up there is an issue. Most LAs refuse a needs assessment, but that's illegal, so you'll need to appeal if so. By doing it now, you'll at least have started the clock ticking on it before schooms go back and people start applying in September.

I agree with a PP that special schools are nicer and more accepting. They need an EHCP though so its a chance to try for one if mainstream doesnr work for your son. Be aware though its a fight to get in one. Took a year to get my son moved, but he thrived once there, so worth the fighting and stress it took.

Both bags are too small and too babyish.

My kids use plain black JanSports bags, mainly because this is the bag the majority of their classmates use and they don't want to be different.

My youngest was teased about having a smiggle bag in the last year of primary school. I know DC still prefers Smiggle bags to the JanSports one but its all about 'blending in'.

I would just stop showing him unsuitable bags.

Narrow his selection. Choose a few bigger, plain bags and ask him to pick one. When I need my kids to choose something, I give them the choice of two or three things that I can afford and are suitable. Its less overwhelming for them and easier for me. I've been doing that since they were toddlers.

No it isnt that simple. But you need an EHCP to get into practically any specialist provision, so it's definitley needed.

If it isnt being adhered to, thats a different fight. But even in mainstream it's hard to get any reasonable supoiet without an EHCP and it gives you a marker to fight to. So absolutely needed.

OP apply for one now yourself, youndont need to wait for school to do it. Use the IPSEA website for template letters.

The bag is not relevant. High school is all about status and weakness. Strong characters and groups will seek out weaknesses and target that whatever it is in order to strengthen their own position. It is all training for the dynamic of the rest of life in the world of work, war, business, politics or whatever area people go into the.. Honestly most people you speak to were miserable for much of their school life. It is rarely a pleasant experience except for those that are very thick skinned. Autistic people can often be those people so he may surprise you in his robustness.

No, he will be a target, sad but true. Plain black or Nike