To think a Y3 can't go around hitting people at random

[randomactsofviolence]

There is a boy in DS class that must have some SEN I do not have the details but he randomly lashes out and hits/fights children unprovoked. He has hurt several children so far this year (y3) and the school don't seem to have it under control.

This week he punched my son in the head in the dinner queue unprovoked. The school just said 'oh he will be punished accordingly' but AIBU to say this isn't good enough?

My son's school is not a safe place for him if he can be punched in the head at random?!

So what if he’s got SEN? He can’t go around hitting people. The school need to actually do something and give him the support he needs

YANBU but its kinda hard to control a kid with SEN...Talking to them doesn't help much neither does punishing tbh...But the school will just need to get a handle on it I guess .

Sounds like the school don't have adequate resources to help this child, so they're getting worked up and having meltdowns, which means that other children are being put in danger. There are failings all the way down the chain there. But no of course you're not BU, your child school be safe at school. And to be fair, the other child should be getting better care so he's safe too.

OP, I feel like I could have started this thread! We have had a similar situation with my son and the school have not acted. I don't know if the child in our case has SEN but he is often violent to my son and others. I will probably be judged for this but we have now told DS to defend himself. The first time he did this he was sanctioned/punished by the school. I understand a no violence stance but I was fuming!

Having been the parent of the child with SEN who would hit children when stressed, I would ask to have a word with the teacher/headteacher and ask them how they can ensure your child's safety in the classroom and lunch/break time. I would imagine they are well aware of the boy's needs but it is really difficult for schools and parents to get the support they need for children with SEN. Any meetings follow up with a letter so that they have a written record of it. The more parents that do this the more the school will have to do something.

They will not be able to discuss with you anything about the child with SEN.

The school need to keep all the children safe, not allow children to be attacked and punish afterwards. They aren't doing any of the children justice - including the child who is lashing out violently who will become socially isolated and eventually head for permanent exclusion (maybe years down the line).

This isn't inclusion done well, its integration done completely inappropriately. However it's probably down to money - they won't have the funding to meet the child's needs appropriately and therefore he's just chucked unsupported into an environment he can't cope in and everyone (including the aggressive child) is collateral damage.

Your first port of call should be teacher, if not satisfied, Headteacher
If not satisfied Chair of Governors.
This is an issue about appropriate support for the child and their family, not punishment for a ‘naughty’ child

You can't assume the school have done nothing because they can tell you about it. Obviously, the child can't be allowed to continue. YANBU to tell the teacher each time it happens and it might eventually actually help the SEN child get the intervention he needs if they can build up a better picture of his behaviour. E.g. Bad behaviour at dinner time might get him some 1-1 supervision.

I emailed the school. They didn't reply. The only email is a generic info@school address so it all goes through the admin staff. I don't even know if it has been sent on. They obviously don't want to hear from me.

@CaptainMyCaptain

You can't assume the school have done nothing because they can tell you about it. Obviously, the child can't be allowed to continue. YANBU to tell the teacher each time it happens and it might eventually actually help the SEN child get the intervention he needs if they can build up a better picture of his behaviour. E.g. Bad behaviour at dinner time might get him some 1-1 supervision.

As above - school won't necessarily give you details of what they have told other child/parents, that doesn't mean they've done nothing. Also, having had a child with similar issues in my department, unless child is under constant 1-1 supervision, it is impossible to prevent this happening. I have even seen it happen while the child was holding the hand of a staff member! Schools are being required to deal with issues that are beyond their control. Affected families need to report these issues at L.A. level - parents are often listened to where schools are seen as "whingeing"

YANBU. They have a responsibility to your son to keep school free from physical violence - imagine getting punched in the head at work? The police would be involved, while it may not be the child's fault it still shouldn't be allowed to happen. He needs more support/supervision to ensure safety of other pupils and for himself since other children will understandably retaliate. I would be livid and if they didn't listen to my concerns I would escalate it.

I agree that this child needs help, but your child, and the rest of the class, should not be collateral damage! I used to call this the "shark tank" version of integration......in other words, avoid the (expensive) issues which arise when a child has additional needs, until such time as an unavoidable crisis point is reached. Having said that, it's quite right that some matters remain confidential.
If you mention the word "safeguarding" in your contact, this might stir some action. As PP's have said, it may well be that there is a need to compile a "body of evidence" and a paper trail will help this along.
The school's initial response seems disappointing; time to become more of a "squeaky wheel" who, in the words of the proverb "gets the most oil".

I’ve been in this situation. DD was strangled by a boy in her class once. Something he’d done to other children in the class as well. He had a 121 but would randomly lash out and punch or kick. His behaviour was very unpredictable. I moved DD to a different school in the end.

Is he Will Smith's son? It seems acceptable to many people when a full grown adult male does it.

SEN means he may lack understanding in which case the school need to supervise more closely to help him and protect others. It is possible to be understanding to his difficulties and for the school to have a TA/other adult present to support the child and prevent harm to others.