To refuse a "managed move"...

[MagersfonteinLugg]

on the grounds that the school they want to move DS to is too far away?

This school sound like they have no idea. Statements are about a special need, not about intelligence. One of our brightest students has a statement because he has an ASD. He is likely to go to Oxford or Cambridge next year.

Why are you going to a governors' meeting? That sounds like an exclusion to me, not a managed move.

The school have talked about a governors disciplinary meeting for weeks.
DS thinks its just going to be a telling off slapped wrist affair but I have told him its either going to be a managed move or exclusion.

What have you had in writing?

As mentioned above talk to Parent Parnership.

Also go on to the school website and see exactly what their discipline procedures are. The school cannot go immediately to a permanent exclusion unless the safety of staff or other children is at issue or if the education of other children is severely impacted.

There is no such thing as a governor's disciplinary panel for pupils. The only reason for governor's panel is a permanent exclusion. In which case they are obliged to out this in writing and give you clear reasons for the exclusion.

I am very concerned about the way the school is treating you and making it appear as if they are following official procedures. Please please seek further assistance.

The governor's are not involved in disciplinary issues in the school. This is solely the head teacher's remit. The only time the governor's are involved is when the HT has exhausted all other avenues and has no choice left but to seek a permanent exclusion.

Please keep a log now of every conversation, phone call, email etc you have with the school. With every phone call or verbal discussion you have with the school immediately follow it up with an email to 'just to recap what was discussed' so you have a record. If later they deny saying such and such you can point to the email and the fact that they never replied to refute.

Do you understand that if you don't take the managed love then he'll probably be permanently excluded at some point in the future? A managed move will be much better on his record.

Having said that, he's entitled to go to any local school with a space so if there are any that would be easier for you then call them today and find out if theres room. Don't mention managed moves etc, just ask if they have any spaces in Year 8.

He goes to bed between 9 and 9.30.
Any electrical devices are removed from his room although he can read if he wants to but not keen on reading.
I am aware that managed move would be better for him than exclusion. My issue is that the school they have mentioned in the past is not on any public transport route near us so unless I pay for a taxi he can't get there.

How many fixed term exclusions has he had?

What have you had in writing about this current situation?

Since sept 2013 he has had 4 ft exclusions.
We didn't receive anything prior to the latest letter which just states there will be a governors disciplinary meeting today at 3.30pm. We received this letter last Friday.
DH phoned school to tell them he couldn't be there as it was too short notice and he had work booked in.
So it's just me going.

Well I've been a governor for years and I have never heard of a governor's disciplinary meeting. Could you take a picture of the relevant bit of the letter and post it? If you can do that without showing any names?

Has there been a recent incident that you have been told about?

Sorry I am useless with links or pics.
It says
Governors disciplinary meeting (DS)
Held: Monday March 23rd at 3.30pm
Year Group 8
SEN Status School Support
Ethnic Origin WBRI
Head of Year (name)

On the next page is a student profile
Next two pages are Incident Log (including previous exclusions where appropriate)
Last page is Support strategies and referrals to external Agencies

We have governors disciplinary meetings in our school. It's usually very near the end of a long period of bad behaviour. It's when they are considering exclusion I think. Kind of last chance saloon...

We have governors disciplinary hearings at our school. It's usually at the end of a long period of problematic behaviour, and it's kind of a last chance saloon. If the student concerned doesn't do as the governors ask, it's usually permanent exclusion

Well, if you really have no more information than that (have you looked at the school behaviour policy, by the way- there might be something in there) then I would go and listen and not agree to anything. In a way it's a good thing your Dp can't be there, because you can say you want to discuss it with him. Make sure you take notes if you can, and check at the end that you know what the next steps are. It's OK to say something like "Can I just make sure I've understood everything that's been said ......" Then briefly recap what you think the situation is. Then come back and ask on here again. Good luck. Try to be very calm and polite, and don't be steamrollered. You don't have to make any serious decisions instantly. And if you feel you want to talk without your ds present, you could ask if he could leave the room for 5 minutes.

We have governed disciplinary meetings for pupils who are facing exclusion. It is normal practice. I would query that the school 'can't afford' an EP. Finances shouldn't come into it. Statementing your son would mean that they would actually get more money for him. How often is your son in trouble and what types of behaviour? The school have to show that they have done everything in their power to help him before they move to exclude or move a pupil. They will get into trouble if not.

Meeting was a farce really.
Head teacher seemed completely unaware of DS diagnosis
Said the school will get MATS involved again and will look into EP.
Did mention PRU also
I told them I thought it best that DS come home for lunch rather than keep spending lunchtime in isolation in his form room. They agreed.
I got the impression that they were going through the legal steps and merely facilitated the governors meeting in order to be able to move into exclusion ASAP.
Told DS it might be better for both of us to start looking into other schools as it would be better to jump than be pushed. He reluctantly agreed.

I am out of touch now as DS is 20 and had a Statement rather than an EHCP, but as I understand it you can still apply for one yourself. Go back to IPSEA. Don't be fobbed off by the 'too bright' argument. If he is at risk of permanent exclusion you need advice from someone who knows the current position.
Don't move him unless you want to. DS' school started making 'We aren't sure this is the school for him' noises. We said we wanted him to stay there and got the school named on his Statement (which he got at the end of Year 8). The school came up trumps in the end and did meet his needs.

Thing is Larry, doesn't "forcing" the school into keeping DS there just cause huge resentment from their side ?

Am hopping mad just reading this!
A managed move can ONLY be considered if the school can demonstrate a very clear rationale as to WHY the move would support the child in improving his behaviour! It is not a mechanism to shunt out a child they don't want! Permanent exclusion ( especially of a child with SEN) requires more than 'low level' disruption so either you are seriously playing down your sons behaviour or the school are royally taking the p.
There EP/EHC excuse 'not worth the money' is OUTRAGEOUS!!! Either they able to put in enough support and strategies to integrate and manage your son successfully OR they need more specialist help - an EP report! They can't have it both ways! What support have they put in place other than punitive! And what the b** hell is the point in asking you to punish him at home! The behaviour they don't like is in school!
If this is an LA school - Contact SEN casework direct. Outline your concerns (ILLEGAL EXCLUSION being attempted here!!) and get a caseworker to contact the school. Download the latest exclusion guidance (sorry am idiot who doesn't know how to link) and ensure they are following it - what support strategies have they tried? There had better be a list that is extensive and prolonged before they try to exclude a child with a diagnosed difficulty!
God - this p me off - how dare they! It gives us all a bad name! Good luck !

Their not there!

Didn't you say the HT was unaware of his diagnosis until now? Or did I misread? That in itself should change things because he has a recognised disability.
It worked for us, but we had good support from EP.
It might be a good idea to get this thread moved to SN. I don't go on there any more but there used to be a lot of people posting with similar experiences to yours.
In the end you have to decide what is best for your DS. You might be better off cutting your losses, but only of the school he moves to can meet his needs. You need to be sure of that.
Wish I could be more helpful. As one who has been there I can only offer sympathy.

You don't say who you have helping you. Do not go to any meetings at the school alone. Have you talked to Parent Partnership? Have you talked to a children's advocate? There are a number of charities around.

The school are not dealing with your child properly. First, you should definitely force them to - this is an LA school. Second, start getting the help your son needs and start knocking in the door of every agency and charity that can help you. Third, start looking at other options for school. There might be another school that would be far better suited to his needs. Fourth, find out how you can go about accessing other help for your son. Some charities work with ASD children to go horse riding, for example.