My DS recently turned 5 and started in year 1 last week. He has SEN, nothing officially diagnosed but he isn’t NT and it’s very clear to see this compared to both older DS and his peers.
In reception I would say he thrived. He enjoyed exploring provision but also took part in some of the learning I.e phonics group and a maths group. He is ‘non verbal’ in a sense, though his speech is improving constantly and he is now beginning to communicate more with us so as I have always felt, this is just a matter of time.
He is very bright- can read full books and also knows most times tables, can do crazy addition mentally etc. The school often underestimates him and are still sending sheets with the most basic phonics on and ‘red words’ like ‘the’ when he can read entire Julia Donaldson or Supertato books and does every night at bedtime. I have requested reading books multiple times but get ignored. Not sure if they think I’m making it up so I’ve started recording him reading to show them which may sound unhinged but I’m tired of him being underestimated.
Anyway, it’s been one full week in year 1 and I was hauled into a meeting today with the new SENCO lead (changed 3 times in a year) to explain he isn’t setting into year 1 at all. The trust transitions abruptly from play based learning in reception to expecting them to sit behind a desk most of the day in year 1 and so naturally, he’s struggling with this. My older DS also struggled and complained for months about hating it and finding it boring. I remember him becoming quite upset one day because in art they were no longer able to paint whatever they chose and instead had to paint what was requested. It’s a shock to the system when they’re still only five so very small I feel.
I did remind her it’s only been a week but she’s adamant already that he won’t slot into their way of doing things. She admitted he’s clearly intelligent and isn’t special school level but that he needs 1:1 and they can’t provide this. My question is what happens with children who fit somewhere in the middle? Or is it just this particular school isn’t right for him and I should be searching for one with more play based learning in year 1 and 2?
I would consider homeschooling but DH and I work FT in hectic careers we need in order to keep financially afloat.