To think this child needs a specialist school

[Londongirl86]

Hi all. I am concerned about a child at my child's school and her behaviour. A week ago my DD was attacked by this child at lunch. She rubbed food all over her face and punched her in the back. The teacher said she has problems and that doesn't excuse it but she's dealt with.

I went home happy enough and told my DD to keep away from her. Over the last few days two other parents knew straight away at the gates who had hurt her. The reason being their children had also been hurt by this child. She also gets angry in class and they have to evacuate there kids.

My friends child was hurt by this kid Thursday. And apparently she also kicked mine again. so we reported it yesterday morning. She came out of school yesterday and told me this child smacked her drink out her hand and stamped on her friends foot. The teachers said nothing to me after school. My child said she was taken indoors for being naughty.

Through conversation in the playground at least 7 kids have been attacked by her. She has problems and we know she's fostered. She clearly isn't able to cope. What is really upsetting is the teachers allowing her out at lunch to harm others. They said it's hard to watch her. You would think they would be concerned she will put a child in hospital if she kicks or pushes them wrong.

My child's only been at school 2 months. She's still settling. I'm annoyed I'm in a position now where I need to keep having words with the teachers. I don't want to become that annoying mum that's pestering them every day. But I also AM not comfortable with my child being put at risk by a violent child who is struggling.

What should be happening with all this? Surely she should be constantly with an adult or at a specialist school?

Lizzie0869 Your poor DC.
It highlights why everyone around a child needs to take time to talk and listen and develop the most appropriate strategies so they can thrive.

Your sister's situation sounds very difficult. It makes sense that the DC isn't PP because they don't fit the profile of those who are more likely to underperform based on background (cohort level trend not individual obviously). But they do sound like they need support. Has your sister looked into talking to the school about High Needs Funding? It's an option we've used where children have clearly needed support but because they don't tick the right boxes they don't pull additional money. Where it's worked well, we've had our SENDCo, class teachers, counsellors or mentors (we have our own team in house to support vulnerable students), form tutors, the student, parents etc and it's been about building a picture of the child's needs to present. It isn't quick, but just the conversations are often really enlightening (for example, I'd done something with a child and then it was put out as a strategy for that child in all appropriate subjects and on another occasion a form tutor found a de-escalation approach that supplemented our behaviour policy and we all tried it).

Thank you for the advice, @LolaSmiles you've been helpful. Thankfully, we are all very supportive to each other and our DC are well loved. I was just trying to highlight that children are individuals, not just defined by labels like SEN, LAC and adopted. Yes they do play a big part, but they don't have to limit them.

Anyway, I don't want to derail your thread any further, OP. I hope your DD has a better day at school. I second Lolasmiles's advice to keep a record of every contact with the school.

How is it going to be best for this child to stay at this school with her current behaviour.

You can have no idea because you aren't a party to the conversations involving the parents and professionals around this child and you havent read any reports or recommendations about how she could best be supported.

You therefore have no idea whether she would be more appropriately supported in a specialist school.

Your desire for her to move is, understandably, about your child's needs so please stop pretending to have her best interests at heart.