To resist homeschooling

[IrisMarch]

I have NCd either through cowardice or to protect the innocent.

Just had Ed Psych report which says 5yo and school don't really mix. Reception year has been worse than I realised, no positive benefits at all as far as I can see but a number of negative outcomes.

Tests revealed motor coordination in bottom 4%, IQ in top 2% which is causing some of the behavioual problems. A neurodevelopmental disorder was diagnosed.

"EHCP should consider suitability of child functioning within structured formal classroom"

I know getting an EHCP could take months or more and even then it's hard to see what school could even do other than give 1 to 1 tuition in a separate room most of the day. On the ed psych's school observation child spent a grand total of 20 minutes joining in to an extent. Completely disruptive or disengaged the rest of the time. Probable reason for not being disruptive during said 20 minutes was presence of another class containing several even more disruptive children. Must be a complete nightmare for the teacher.

I'm not at all keen to homeschool 100% and take on total responsibility for education, therapeutic input, equipment etc I'd have major difficulties in getting childcare while working and can't give up work. I would be up for a reduced timetable or flexischooling if allowed.

OTOH can I continue to put this child through such a damaging experience?

I know I haven't given a lot of detail and I'm happy to give more.

I have absolutely no idea how to handle this but, from experience, I believe you very possibly do.

I should say I have no criticism of the school. If I was the teacher I'd be pretty upset that a very bright child had learned nothing all year and had in fact been seriously put off reading.

How very hard. I've sometimes thought that a really good Nanny could be useful in situations like this but of course that would cost a LOT.

Have they said which neurodevelopmental disorder it is?

Is there the option for moving to a more specialist school? Smaller class sizes, higher staff/pupil ratio, ability to implement individual timetables, etc.

That's a really interesting idea Henny I earn next to nothing so can't buy an 'easy' solution but I can see how a nanny could help. ADHD definitely, ASD possibly (further investigation needed when slightly older; there's ASD in the family) possibly something else motor related that I can't find the name for straight away.

I don't think there's any suitable specialist school but might be wrong. I have met a parent whose older child got funded locally to a very small private school who mention ASD on their website. Doesn't do KS1though.

I can see how a standard classroom wouldn’t meet his needs, but unfortunately that doesn’t automatically make you suitable to take on the task of his education instead.

What can they put in place instead of this - a 1 to 1? Or are there any specialist units that might be suitable? I realise 1001 barriers will be put in your way of accessing this. But the state has a duty to educate.

In your shoes I wouldn’t be falling on my sword (apart from anything else, I would feel unqualified. Plus a livelihood needs to be earned, etc).

It’s worth checking, you may have to go out of area for it but the local authority would have to pay transport. Lots of kids in my local authority go to out of borough specialist private schools, as there isn’t enough suitable provision here. If you search for your authority’s SEN local offer page, that might have some information. Or contact any local support organisation. Don’t resign yourself to home ed yet.

Even IF there isn’t anywhere suitable, the local authority would still have to pay for tutoring. A friend’s daughter who cannot currently find a suitable school is being privately tutored at the local authority’s expense. The hours don’t add up to a full school day, and it is still a nightmare as it means one of her parents can’t work. But they don’t have to educate her themselves.

does caffeine help his behaviour improve? if so would meds help also?

Oberonunder makes a very good point. OP it might be better to post this in Special Needs on Mumsnet as people there are very clued-up into the process of this kind of thing. The fact that the report says a classroom environment isn't ideal for him could be your "in" to getting him funding for something more suitable (tutor)

I haven't actually tried caffeine on a 5yo

I don't know if LA will provide anything if school hasn't yet tried a load of inevitable non starters. I really want there to be some liveable solution at least for a while.

Can a parent properly home school their child if they work during the day? I'm not really sure how that would work.(unless you employ someone to do it for you and surely that cost is prohibitive for most parents)

I agree with others that it may be worth looking at special schools.

I'd look at independent special schools.

Hi OP, we have had a somewhat similar experience of reception. V bright but doesn't/hasn't learnt anything at all. When I looked through her work towards the end of summer term my heart sank. You could see evidently that she just doesn't try at all.
My DD has ASC and has an EHCP in place. The school have been v good with her autism and she has an hour of 1-2-1 each afternoon to help her with things like writing, she has a tent in a quiet corner, starts school 10 mins later to avoid the crowds etc.
However they have said they cannot get her to engage in work. She's v self directed and only does what she wants to do. She can't sit still on the carpet etc, opts out of lessons that make her anxious etc.
They've tried tailoring the work to her interests with limited effect.
She is v bright and has taught herself to read but just cannot/does not focus in any way.
I too would be v reluctant to home educate my DD. I work full time but fear that I would not have the skills how to manage her capacity to learn.
After a meeting with the school, OT, EP and us her EHCP has been amended and the council have agreed that she would be better suited to a resource based school (a mainstream school with a hub).
It breaks my heart as she is so clever and bright.
I'm aware the EHCP process can take a long time but best to get the ball started now as it can really help with getting additional support.
I'm still on this journey so don't have much useful advice but would recommend getting this thread moved to the special needs board. There are lots of lovely experienced posters there who will understand what you are going though. Good luck OP.

"I would be up for a reduced timetable or flexischooling if allowed."

In usual circumstances it is very hard to get headteachers to agree to such an arrangement except as a temporary measure, and it can only be done with their agreement. However, if you can get an EHCP which specifies part-time attendance then they must allow it. If that is your preferred solution, go for it. It will take quite a long time to get the EHCP, as you know.

If your DS is to stay in school at all then an EHCP would give more options, so I would definitely apply ASAP. Are you aware that a parent can apply: you don't have to wait for the school to do it?

The removal of specialist schools dovetailed with the inclusion agenda has been disastrous, hasn’t it?

OP, I really feel for you. Your child is being let down because the resources to give him what he needs don’t exist.

In your circumstances, I would consider home educating, but obviously not everyone can do that.

Found it, along with other things very possibly developmental coordination disorder (subset of dyspraxia as I understand it).

I dont think there is an alternative school at this age.

I would try to go part time and work with a flexible school day if possible, or if it’s affordable, a good nanny, well directed by you, for afternoons.

I would definitely apply for a ehcp yourself now, even if the school say they are going to do it.

My son's specialist independent takes from age 5. Are you able to tell us roughly where you are?

You have hit the nail on the head hercule I am feeling quite upset about it all.

Unfortunately we're also affected by very serious illness in another family member at the moment.

If adhd has been diagnosed has medication been considered?

It has been a game changer for ds and has also helped him to focus more in therapy sessions so his motor skills etc are improving too.

Get the ehc application started as soon as possible though no matter what you need that done

YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR AN EHCP

I’ve put that in bold because there really is absolutely no no no getting away from this. If you electively home educate you then absolve the LA of their educational responsibilities. That’s not to say he can’t be educated at home with a support package but the second you deregister electively, you lose all the rights afforded via EHCP.

Go to IPSEA website and read and re read every page. Apply for an EHCP yourself, school doesn’t have to do it, and drive the process. In theory it’s 20 weeks from start to finish but of course the tweaking takes longer.

Pm me if I can help further.

There will be a specialist provision somewhere that you can access via EHCP - it may be out of area but the LA would have to sort transport. Where I live there are four specialist schools that take kids under 5, and I suspect many kids come in from the neighbouring county.

My twins are almost 3 and both diagnosed with ASD - just sent off EHCP resident next week. I absolutely cannot home school them, I’m so worried about what’s going to happen.

*EHCP request, not resident!