To think it's a bit late of the school to stop DS going on his residential trip now!

[EnglishRose1320]

DS1 is in year 6, has just been diagnosed as having autism and is finding the sats practice very stressful, as a result he refused to go into class this morning and instead sat outside waving a stick around.
The deputy called and said they were going to have to review whether he goes on the residential trip or not and probably wouldn't be able to.
AIBU to think that it's a bit late, the trip is straight after sats, DS is excited (which is rare) we have forked out nearly £200 for it and although the diagnosis was recent DS has been in the school for coming up 4 years, they should know him by now and be able to accommodate his needs.

To those talking about not having enough staff, what would happen in the scenario that one member of staff had to pull out of a trip at the last minute.
Would it be reasonable for the trip to go ahead but say leaving 5 children behind?Would you be happy with that if your child was one of those left out?

Clearly the ratios have to be enough or it doesn't go ahead. Most likely they would nag another member of staff to leave school and do the trip. There's always supply staff if you can get them

Ask them what has changed to make them change their mind?

I wonder if the school thinks his behaviour is escalating? It has been worse this term

It saddens me that a stupid test, for which they are exerting unwarranted pressure, could result in action that is wholly unfair. DD & DS are under SEN which is more pastoral than anything. I told DS that I'd like him to do well, if he achieved the average he could have a treat. (Which gave motivation for revision - truth be told though, he could have achieved a crap result and still have been treated as the school put so much pressure on the students.)

He has autism I would say it's discriminative to hold any behaviours against him, especially at a stressful time where routine has changed, so the emphasis is all SATs based, so the change in routine alone will affect his behaviours, not to mention stress, pressure, any pupils who are being cocky.

I hope you get it resolved, I would feel inclined to say, your inclusion policy states ... therefore you have no basis on punishing DC, because that would be discrimination and against his human rights.

I'm seldom one to ever say the above, I certainly believe it to be the first time I'm even suggesting that human rights be mentioned. Hopefully it'll scare the school into thinking we are being harsh on all the children in Y2 & Y6, this is one of the results of applying pressure, on a child who that will affect more than most.

I really hope you get it all sorted. When away from home, there'll be more than your DS with potential behavioural issues. They don't know how any child will react to being away from home. So it's not an excuse.

melj123, it would be ridiculous for a school to claim that a child's needs have changed based on one incident, and to the extent that there are no reasonable adjustments whatsoever that they can make to deal with it. It's also pretty unrealistic to say there is nothing they can do as a school to ensure the trip is properly staffed - a school that can't cover contingencies (including, for instance, a staff member going sick) really shouldn't be organising residential trips at all.

So I could give you a long break down of how it went today but I feel shattered. So just a quick update. DS is going on the trip. Thank you for everyone who gave advice/mentioned laws/suggested websites.

My m really pleased to hear he's going on the trip. If they didn't let him he would have felt like it was a punishment whatever the reasons for not letting him go were, I really hope he enjoys himself.

Great! Well done you

So pleased with you. I have been following with interest as my DD has been banned from her year 5 school residential in October this year. No reason apart from the school feel it's easier for them to manage her on school premises (she has ASD).

Feeling inspired I have called the local Parent Partnership for support and will be requesting a meeting with the SENCO. DD has an EHCP and I know they haven't increased her support since getting it (not a problem as the EHCP is more to help her transition to secondary). I will suggest the school can fund a 1 to 1 from the EHCP budget that she doesn't currently require.

That's great news, so pleased for you both that he can go. I'm sure it will give him a big boost and it sounds much needed.

I am - of course - glad it has proved possible.

Really glad you could sort this out OP, that's great!

scone that is shocking.

This is why we need an act of law around discrimination. Can you imagine if they decided not to take overweight children because managing their food intake might be tricky, or Muslim children because halal menus would be tricky? There would be an outcry. But sadly deciding not to take seen children, esp those with autism, is surprisingly common and too many parents don't know the law. And yes it can be the case that arrangements simply can't be made, but all too often they haven't even tried.

Sen not seen

Would like to say, after reading some pretty awful experiences that some schools do their utmost to be inclusive. At dd's primary, each statement review would be the time to discuss upcoming residential trips in the following year.
Once HT (also SENCo) was aware that the child was going to want to go he would get the ball rolling on securing the funding from the LA to ensure that the child would have sufficient support. Dd did three residential trips fully supported by her TA and enjoyed every minute and she wasn't the only one children in wheelchairs with profound needs were also included if they wanted to go. The attitude was always "the child wants to go what do we need to do to make it happen?"

Sanityscratching- yes you are right, loads of schools put a lot of effort into helping children with additional needs access as much as possible was certainly the case for ds's infant school and for the school I work in.
I am very pleased we have got everything resolved now but it was extremely draining and it made it very clear that whilst the majority of the school is all inclusive the head teacher really isn't.

Glad you have got it sorted out. I hope your ds has a great time.

As I suspected it was the SLT that had the concerns, having had to persuade them in a meeting we then had a meeting with my DS and the teacher leading the trip. It was a totally different meeting, teacher had a really clear plan in place, went through everything, room sharing, food, activities etc with DS. DS was super excited and really on board, could articulate any concerns he had, all of which the teacher had already factored in and could reassure DS about.
Feel very confident about DS going now and am so pleased it's been resolved.

Just a quick update for all those that gave me advice. He went, he had an amazing time, the staff were full of praise, he clearly didn't wash once but I was expecting that! Feel so relieved and so proud of him, also very thankful to the staff that helped make it possible for him to have such an amazing experience.

Brilliant outcome all round

Thanks for the update and good outcome

That's fantastic news and the right outcome.

That is great news.

So pleased to hear your update! Brilliantly and classily handled OP.

Lovely update!