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

[Youagain2025]

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.

I worked in a school for children with moderate learning difficulties called MLD in the early 80s. There was a huge range of children. Many could’ve been fine in mainstream. Such schools don’t exist now children with those mild or moderate difficulties are up and seen in mainstream schools because of different provision.

In the 80’s it’s likely that “moderate learning difficulties” was the full diagnosis/reason! It may be that you won’t get further info, as that is the sum of it. You would be best going through the process for an up to date diagnosis. Looking back can help with that, but it’s unlikely to give you accurate answers as to who you are and what the core of your struggles are/were.

I also went to SEN school from 9 years old upwards and I sadly didnt get a proper diagnosis and understanding of myself until adulthood. Best of luck in the process, it’s very freeing

If i log onto my docs website it has all my medical history, which starts with jabs as a newborn. I was born in 1987.

Thank you for that . It could very well be the case for me to. I wasn't told much just I was going to a special school and a bus would pick me up. But it was not big deal. So I never questioned it . I just thought it was great that it was non school uniform. And I got to go on bus 🤷‍♀️

I understand too and think she deserves to know. I also think it’s likely that a mainstream school in the 80s wasn’t able to work with a child with moderate learning difficulties (or simply didn’t want to and put pressure on OP’s parents to move them).

I think OP’s GP is best placed to speak with them about what needs they have and what they can do moving forward.

You can request your medical records. Is the school still in existence? If so ask them.

As I understand it based on my experience in the late 80s as a child with a physical disability I think that the way it would have worked is that the local authority would have arranged an educational psychologist to assess you, likely in school. And then a statement would have been prepared.

In the first instance I would contact the education department at the local authority to ask if they hold a copy of the educational psychologist's report or any other documentation relating to the reasons behind your admission to the school or know where you might get them.

I would also contact your GP making a data subject access request for any records they hold for you during e.g. rhe 80s and 90s. You don't have to specify what you're looking for.

I lived all my life in Norwich (and went to school in the 1980’s).
From memory, Parkside School was a school for quite severe SEN even then so I’m sure there would be some evidence somewhere.

No they’re not. I spent many years working in a GP practice. GP records are kept from birth until you die and then after death your records are transferred somewhere else. They are also now computerised and so they are there for life.

Thinking if a child became suddenly disruptive or selectively mute, for example due to a particular event or illness. One of my primaries had a “remedial” class which covered all ages for those who, for whatever reason, were unable to cope in ms classrooms at that time. Some moved between them and reverted to ms education, others went on to special schools.

I have no idea . I'm really just repeating what I was told .

I tried to get clinic notes from childhood a few years ago but they had long since been destroyed.

How do I actually ask? What is the SARS? Is that linked or do I literally just ask GP?

From where? Hospital or GP? Hospitals I believe, destroy your notes after so many years but never your GP.

not odd at all. It was a different time and decisions around children were taken differently. 35ish years ago is no time at all for record keeping especially as it would likely have been online then. I mean why not ask them?

Schools keep records for decades.

I recently had to check something with my school that I attended in 1976. It took them less than an hour to find the relevant paperwork.

I'd ask the school first.

OP you can ask Chat GPT to create a SARS request for information from your GP and then one for each of your schools. I just did a quick request now and Chat GPT gave me the following template (I made up the dates of attendance):

Subject Access Request (SAR) [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, Postcode] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]
[School's Name] [School's Address] [City, Postcode]
Dear [Head Teacher/Principal's Name],
Subject Access Request under the Data Protection Act 2018 (UK GDPR)
I am writing to formally request access to all personal data that [School's Name] holds about me, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 (UK GDPR).
I attended [School's Name] from 1980 to 1983. Below are my details to help you identify the information:
Full Name: [Your Full Name] Date of Birth: [Your Date of Birth] Dates of Attendance: 1980 - 1983
Please provide me with the following information:

1. A copy of all personal data held about me, including but not limited to academic records, attendance records, disciplinary records, and any other relevant documents.
2. Details of any third parties with whom my data has been shared.
3. The purposes for which my data has been processed.
4. The source of the data, if not collected directly from me.

I would appreciate it if you could provide this information in electronic format (if possible) and within the statutory time limit of one month from the date of receipt of this request. If you require any further information to verify my identity or to locate the data, please let me know as soon as possible. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. I look forward to your prompt response. Yours sincerely, [Your Full Name] [Your Signature, if sending a hard copy]

A lot of hospitals and community services will destroy records after 20 years since the last contact with the patient or 10 years after death.

With child records they may keep them longer, till the child will have turned 25.

I would start by writing to the two local authorities, possibly starting with the relevant County Records Offices. You can make a freedom of information request, but you should be able to request information held about you without this. There should be a contact email address and you could send a brief, factual email along the lines of "My name is [full name including middle names] and I attended [school] between [dates]. Do you hold information about my admission and time at the school?" They might charge for research if you want them to send you the information, or you should be able to see the records specifically relating to you in person. Either way the county records office/archive should be able to give you information on how to access any records.

I work at an archive and we regularly receive enquiries of this type, so please don't feel it is a strange or unusual request.

Thats what I’ve just said isn’t it? Hospitals may do so but not your GP, even if you’ve moved GP practices as your records always go with you to your new GP. Your GP always has to have your records, they can’t just destroy them.

I'm not sure this is true, I'm 50 and I have access to my records going back to my childhood via the NHS app.

OP - if you download the NHS app you might find some records on there.

OP can you email your GP rather than visiting? It might be easier for you to order your thoughts in an email.
Some GP surgeries have an e-consult service, otherwise you could call the surgery and ask if you can email the doctor.

In the email you could outline that you are trying to find out information about the reasons you attended a moderate learning difficulties school as a child and that you would like to know as it would be helpful to understand if there is something that impacts the way you navigate life as an adult. Then you could ask if it’s possible to see childhood notes, and if you want to, if it is possible to discuss any neurodivergence with the GP.

If you outline an email, you could put it into ChatGPT to help with the wording or ask on here. Best wishes

But how else will you find out?

I would email the school, your GP and maybe social services to find out how you can request records related to yourself from 30 years ago.

When you say you see yourself as having learning difficulties do you mean difficulties or disabilities as they have different meanings ?
Learning difficulties means difficulties in learning ,so something specific like dyslexia or generalised difficulties with academic learning
Whereas a learning disability affects everything and a person might need help with cooking ,cleaning ,keeping themselves ,understanding the world around them
These can range from mild to profound

Subject: Request for Access to Personal Records
Dear [GP Practice Name / Social Services Department],
I hope this message finds you well.
I am writing to formally request access to any personal records held about me, dating back approximately 30 years. This request is made under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, which grant individuals the right to access personal information held about them.
My details are as follows:

• Full name: [Your Full Name]
• Date of birth: [Your DOB]
• Previous names (if applicable): [Any former names]
• Current address: [Your current address]
• Previous addresses (during the time period in question): [List if known or approximate]
• NHS number (if known): [Optional]

I would appreciate copies of any records you hold relating to me, including but not limited to medical notes, social work assessments, reports, and correspondence. I understand that retrieving older records may take some time, but I would be grateful for any information you are able to provide. Please let me know if you require any further information or proof of identity to process this request. Thank you for your assistance, and I look forward to your response. Kind regards, [Your Full Name] [Your Contact Details – phone and/or email]