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Original poster

How do I find out why I went to SEN school.

391 replies

Youagain2025 · 08/05/2025 10:07

When i was a child 8 or maybe nine. I'm quite sure it was year 3? I jointed a school for children with moderate learning difficulties. I was not told why and I never questioned it. I feel like there's a big chunk that i don't know about myself. I'm not sure if things were done differently on the mid 80s like what would have been done to decide i needed to ho to a special needs school. I guess there were not ehcps back then ? I have read GP would have had records. Why would a GP have records about my schooling ? I read that i can ask for a SARS? But it said something about knowing the dates and what it is im looking for . I'm not even 100% on the dates. And I'm not sure how to word what I'm looking for.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
BertieBotts · 09/05/2025 15:06

Some children struggle in mainstream schools due to sensory overload or the speed of the work being overwhelming. Could it have been something like this? Do you remember what made you unhappy at the mainstream school? It might have been that your parents and the teachers were trying to help you settle but it was clear you were struggling with it which might have been why the suggestion was made to move to a special school.

BlueFlowers5 · 09/05/2025 17:59

You could ask the local authority why you sent there - social services records will be held there.
Or the county archives maybe.

TatteredAndTorn · 09/05/2025 18:19

SheridansPortSalut · 08/05/2025 11:41

You can ask all of the people and places that have been suggested without needing to know why they would keep records. Just start emailing and see what, if anything, they come back with. You're over thinking it.

This. You are massively overthinking it. Just send off the email/forms as needed and see what comes back. You don’t have to worry about seeking odd. For one, it isn’t. And secondly, who gives a shit! It’s your information, you are entitled to it (I would want to know too if that helps at all). But mainly …. Stop overthinking!!!!!!

re SARs and dates. They ask for this as they want to limit their work. You do kit have to give them dates. However you do know approximate dates (the years you’ve given above more than suffices) and what you are looking for so you could tell them that. If you would rather have everything you can ask for that. It might take longer but you are legally entitled to that information. I’ve helped lots of people do this so these requests are not unusual.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General education General health Primary education SEN
starryeyed19 · 09/05/2025 18:20

You should be able to access your NHS records which would cover any appointments or interactions you would have had with any paediatricians who might have been involved plus send in an SAR to the local authority the school is in. They will have info.

Original poster
Youagain2025 · 09/05/2025 18:38

BlueFlowers5 · 09/05/2025 17:59

You could ask the local authority why you sent there - social services records will be held there.
Or the county archives maybe.

There was no social services involvement.

OP posts:
Original poster
Youagain2025 · 09/05/2025 18:42

TatteredAndTorn · 09/05/2025 18:19

This. You are massively overthinking it. Just send off the email/forms as needed and see what comes back. You don’t have to worry about seeking odd. For one, it isn’t. And secondly, who gives a shit! It’s your information, you are entitled to it (I would want to know too if that helps at all). But mainly …. Stop overthinking!!!!!!

re SARs and dates. They ask for this as they want to limit their work. You do kit have to give them dates. However you do know approximate dates (the years you’ve given above more than suffices) and what you are looking for so you could tell them that. If you would rather have everything you can ask for that. It might take longer but you are legally entitled to that information. I’ve helped lots of people do this so these requests are not unusual.

Show quote history

I have done that now . I have heard back from GP I need to fill in forms which I can do on Monday. And I'm waiting for the school to get back to me.

OP posts:
Iamgettingolderandgrumpier · 09/05/2025 18:42

In the 1970/80s there used to be schools referred to as ESN(M) and ESN(S). These schools took children who were struggling in mainstream school. Dyslexia/Dyspraxia, ASD etc weren’t recognised then so children with this issues often ended in ESN(M) schools. (M stands for moderate. S was severe). Children with Down syndrome or behavioural difficulties (now recognised as ADHD) often ended up in ESN(S). As part of my teacher training I spent a week in an ESN(S) school. Schools weren’t very good and, thankfully, this type of school disappeared in late 1980s/1990s when the idea of Inclusive Education developed.

ZepherinDrouhin · 09/05/2025 18:42

How are you now as an adult? Do you have additional needs and require interventions? H9w do you manage in your daily life? Do you struggle as this will give you a clue as to why you went to a specialist school.

Original poster
Youagain2025 · 09/05/2025 18:50

BertieBotts · 09/05/2025 15:06

Some children struggle in mainstream schools due to sensory overload or the speed of the work being overwhelming. Could it have been something like this? Do you remember what made you unhappy at the mainstream school? It might have been that your parents and the teachers were trying to help you settle but it was clear you were struggling with it which might have been why the suggestion was made to move to a special school.

I had no friends at mainstream and i was treated badly by children and adults. Because I thick basically.

Reason for SEN school could well be for the reasons you suggest . But I don't actually know. I'm hoping it will say in any paper work I find. Might find something interesting.

OP posts:
canyouseemyhousefromhere · 09/05/2025 18:51

I had a friend who went to a special needs school and was not sure why - she was dyslexic. The criteria was very low then.

It may even have been a school nearest your home with a place.

Are you in touch with any ex pupils or relatives who may know?

Ilovechocolatelimesandsherbertlemons · 09/05/2025 19:20

I was a primary school headteacher from the 1990s and DH of a special school before that.
In those days the criteria were not so tight. Sometimes if a child was not very socially robust, had been ill or was young in the year and needing a bit of extra help, it might have been suggested that they went to a school for moderate learning difficulties to help them feel more secure in the smaller classes and personalised learning support. It wasn't always about learning difficulties. Dyslexia wasn't so well understood then, so additional help with reading might have been needed. In the same way as parents who were able might choose a smaller private school.
Headteachers did keep log books and it's possible you might find your name in one of those, either at the school or in local archives. Do you not have any school reports saved, or letter to parents that might give you a clue?
The criteria became more tight over the years, and it wouldn't be possible to do it now, mainstream schools have to support the children. Probably many of those children transferred back into mainstream secondary schools. I hope we did a good job for those children too.

Original poster
Youagain2025 · 09/05/2025 19:21

ZepherinDrouhin · 09/05/2025 18:42

How are you now as an adult? Do you have additional needs and require interventions? H9w do you manage in your daily life? Do you struggle as this will give you a clue as to why you went to a specialist school.

I am not really sure if I understand the question. Unless server i don't think adult get intervention.?

I managed day to day life fine. Because its sort of my life bubble. I don't work but If I was in work I would shit myself. When I did work for a bit I felt churned up and knotted up inside every single day it was awful.

This thread for example i can't take everything in. If there is a word that I don't knlw the meaning of a word that I can't even pronounce. Then that one word completely throws me and I don't understand baby of that post at all. Even if I loo up the mwsming if the worrs and cone back. I can't fit that meaning into the post . Its just completely lost

Sorry I'm not sure if I have answered well .

OP posts:
Ilovechocolatelimesandsherbertlemons · 09/05/2025 19:22

Those schools still exist, but are now MLD schools. As with all schools, education has changed.

SuperBlondie28 · 09/05/2025 19:23

elliejjtiny · 08/05/2025 11:31

The criteria for special needs school was much lower in those days. It was common for children with medical needs to go to special needs school as well.

This is true. My mother just couldn't cope with my brother. We're talking late 80s I think. I was too young to remember the reason why, but a phycologist or similar recommended a particular boarding school for children with 'problems' and he got sent there. She feels really guilty about it now. It was eating issues/lower mental age/behavior etc with him I think.

Original poster
Youagain2025 · 09/05/2025 19:29

Ilovechocolatelimesandsherbertlemons · 09/05/2025 19:20

I was a primary school headteacher from the 1990s and DH of a special school before that.
In those days the criteria were not so tight. Sometimes if a child was not very socially robust, had been ill or was young in the year and needing a bit of extra help, it might have been suggested that they went to a school for moderate learning difficulties to help them feel more secure in the smaller classes and personalised learning support. It wasn't always about learning difficulties. Dyslexia wasn't so well understood then, so additional help with reading might have been needed. In the same way as parents who were able might choose a smaller private school.
Headteachers did keep log books and it's possible you might find your name in one of those, either at the school or in local archives. Do you not have any school reports saved, or letter to parents that might give you a clue?
The criteria became more tight over the years, and it wouldn't be possible to do it now, mainstream schools have to support the children. Probably many of those children transferred back into mainstream secondary schools. I hope we did a good job for those children too.

I don't have anything at all. It probably was due to dyslexia as it seemed common back then and would =SEN school but im wondering if it was dyslexia and something else. Hopefully i will find out either way.

OP posts:
Wildefish · 09/05/2025 19:44

Youagain2025 · 08/05/2025 11:47

I was there around 7 years but 2 different schools as we moved house.

I do see myself as having learning difficulties. I mean thats what I was told as a child. And then I went to school for kids with learning difficulties. I know there's lots of basic stuff I don't know/understand that most adults do. And there's general niggling bits.

Show quote history

I think it’s important for you to try and find some answers for your own self esteem. There is a chance that you may be dyslexic or have ADHD which does not mean you have low intelligence. Write down a plan on how to figure this out. Send emails to both schools asking if they have information. Email your go as well. You are overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, so doing what some people do and do nothing, so please start. Take it an email at a time and follow up. I hope you get the answers you need.

Original poster
Youagain2025 · 09/05/2025 19:55

Wildefish · 09/05/2025 19:44

I think it’s important for you to try and find some answers for your own self esteem. There is a chance that you may be dyslexic or have ADHD which does not mean you have low intelligence. Write down a plan on how to figure this out. Send emails to both schools asking if they have information. Email your go as well. You are overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, so doing what some people do and do nothing, so please start. Take it an email at a time and follow up. I hope you get the answers you need.

Show quote history

I have emailed the last school i went to . So I'm waiting on them. GP has said i need to fill in a form . So I'm doing that Monday.

I think your right though I think i just need it infront of me written down . I think once I actually see it I may understand it better. Even if it turns out I already know

OP posts:
ZepherinDrouhin · 09/05/2025 20:06

I would probably ask for an ADHD referral. An educational psychologist can do a general assessment to see what additional needs you have.

From what you've said, it sounds similar to an auditory processing issue

https://www.dyslexiasupportsouth.org.nz/school-toolkit/specific-learning-difficulties-and-processing-disorders/

.https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/auditory-processing-disorder/

Wildefish · 09/05/2025 20:13

Youagain2025 · 09/05/2025 19:55

I have emailed the last school i went to . So I'm waiting on them. GP has said i need to fill in a form . So I'm doing that Monday.

I think your right though I think i just need it infront of me written down . I think once I actually see it I may understand it better. Even if it turns out I already know

Edited
Show quote history

Good luck and don’t let whatever happened in the past define you.

Childminder60 · 09/05/2025 20:36

If you can afford it get an Educational Psychologist report done. It takes about 3 hours. Price differs a lot based on where you live. They are a lot cheaper up north. This will give you a good idea.

Original poster
Youagain2025 · 09/05/2025 20:49

Childminder60 · 09/05/2025 20:36

If you can afford it get an Educational Psychologist report done. It takes about 3 hours. Price differs a lot based on where you live. They are a lot cheaper up north. This will give you a good idea.

I'm just going to look into any gp /education type reports for now. I don't really want to be paying out for private things.

OP posts:
MaxJLHardy · 09/05/2025 22:03

If you download the NHS app you can access all your medical records on your phone.

Shotokan101 · 09/05/2025 22:45

"Theme from Frozen....."

Original poster
Youagain2025 · 09/05/2025 23:25

MaxJLHardy · 09/05/2025 22:03

If you download the NHS app you can access all your medical records on your phone.

It only shows recent things. But I have made a request

OP posts:
Original poster
Youagain2025 · 09/05/2025 23:26

Shotokan101 · 09/05/2025 22:45

"Theme from Frozen....."

Nope definitely not. I'm entitled to know things about myself

OP posts: