Hi there. My DS is in reception at an outstanding state primary. He has had a good year but there have been some bumps along the way. He had a few weeks of playing too roughly in the playground (ie: knocking someone over instead of tapping them when playing Tag/It). Then he had a few weeks of selective listening (not listening when asked to do a task, he would do this once or twice a week). I talked to his teacher, worked with DS, talked to him, reminders every day. He has come through it and for the past month has come home with stickers for good behaviour nearly every day.
Alongside this he has been on the receiving end of being hit almost every week (sometimes every day) by a child in his class. Sometimes my DS is attracted to the other child - the excitement - and goes over to him. DS often talks about getting stronger so he can protect himself from the other child so I know he gets anxious about it. I have witnessed the other child on many occasions, out of the blue, running over to DS and striking him then running off. I asked the school to do something about this, and they moved DS into another group.
Yesterday I was asked to come into school for a meeting with the Head of Inclusion. I have asked why and was only told to discuss 'progress'.
Brief description of my DS: He is bright, interested in learning and has a strong memory. He talks a lot, discusses his thinking processes, asks lots of detailed questions. He is reading on yellow level, and his teacher says his math is exceptional. He dislikes handwriting but can do it. I think he gets bored as it's monotonous. He socialises well, has lots of friends, brilliant manners. He is confident, can run, swim, is good at gymnastics. He sleeps well and has a good diet. On the other hand he is fearful of a lot of things (small insects, dogs, getting hurt at school), he says certain noises make his ears feel funny (but they don't actually hurt). Loud motorbikes, loud music at a party. He needs/loves one to one time and time alone, he can be grumpy when visitors come over and he doesn't want lots of people around. If he is tired or grumpy he will ignore people who are talking to him and refuse to share toys. He can switch from happy to grumpy quite easily. For example, he could melt down if I say I will bring a certain snack after school and I bring a different one. By melt down, low level crying and grumbling for ten minutes. When he got tired at the end of his birthday party, he just wanted to sit under a table for a while on his own and grunted at anyone who came near.
Thank you if you have read this far. While I know his behaviour is not perfect and we are working on it, I don't think there is an underlying problem. I think it's his personality. He is highly strung and likes things his own way. I know his school work is fine and above average in some areas.
Yet I am anxious about the meeting that has been called. Both parents asked to attend, and the school have not told us why. I have the whole week end to speculate. Has anyone else had a similar experience, or a similar child? Is a meeting about 'progress' code for something? Do high achieving schools weed out children that they view as disruptive to the class routine? Will they want to assess/test him?