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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be worried about my dd's education

72 replies

BelleMarionette · 30/04/2023 21:55

She started in reception, only for schools to close shortly afterwards with the first lockdown. She went to key worker provision, but it was just childcare. I had no time to home school as I was working crazy hours on the covid wards, and also emotionally and physically drained (and traumatised too). Same again for second lockdown.

She then had nearly a whole year of supply teachers, which changed daily or weekly. She did not learn at all in this time.

She has struggled massively with school, and been diagnosed with autism. I have applied for an EHCP but the council has refused to assess. Now she is missing lots more school this year too due to strikes.

School initially denied she was behind academically, but then acknowledged she was, but said that all the children were.

She just feels like one of many of a lost generation. Sadly I can't afford private school, and won't ever be able without a career change.

Aibu to think children are being failed currently?

OP posts:
lapwnbx · 30/04/2023 22:11

Have you tried to change school? If you're basically saying she hasn't learnt anything for 3 full years I'd be looking at other options long before now.

PlasticOrchid · 30/04/2023 22:13

Yes they are, which is why we are striking.

tadpolecity · 30/04/2023 22:14

Agree. Teachers are striking as conditions are so bad. Funding is woeful

Original poster
BelleMarionette · 30/04/2023 22:16

lapwnbx · 30/04/2023 22:11

Have you tried to change school? If you're basically saying she hasn't learnt anything for 3 full years I'd be looking at other options long before now.

I looked at other schools but the situation seems to be the same everywhere. I'm not in the catchment for any other schools either regardless, so without moving or going private there are no other realistic options.

OP posts:
WeeWillyWinkie9 · 30/04/2023 22:17

Teachers are striking to improve the situation for your child in the future. Please support them as without massive changes this will get worse.

LittleBearPad · 30/04/2023 22:17

The strikes won’t have made much if any difference to children’s learning.

Have you considered moving schools.

LittleBearPad · 30/04/2023 22:19

BelleMarionette · 30/04/2023 22:16

I looked at other schools but the situation seems to be the same everywhere. I'm not in the catchment for any other schools either regardless, so without moving or going private there are no other realistic options.

Show quote history

Do you actually have catchments or is it done on distance.

If the latter then phone some other schools up - you never know what their waiting lists are like.

Original poster
BelleMarionette · 30/04/2023 22:23

LittleBearPad · 30/04/2023 22:17

The strikes won’t have made much if any difference to children’s learning.

Have you considered moving schools.

I'm not so sure. 6 school days missed this year including next week's one, plus possibly more. That's for children that have already missed out on nearly 3 years of schooling (or 3/4 of their completed school years)

OP posts:
DelphiniumBlue · 30/04/2023 22:23

I work in a school where we have had loads of children transferring in because of lack of provision in their original schools - if you feel your current school is not doing /has not done what it could, look around to see if any other local schools are better.
And I don't think it's great to compare Covid with strikes, I think there have been 6 strike days this year, by staff who worked all through Covid and are not being recognised or properly recompensed for their huge contribution.
If you have been left with the impression that keyworker provision was just childcare, maybe your school did not do the best it could have.
That is a different issue to the local authority refusing to assess for an ECHP. Have the school been able to advise on this? Can you revisit their decision with more evidence - as your DD gets older the effects of her autism and the need for additional support might become more apparent. It might be worth posting on the SEN board here for more detailed advice as to what you can do about the refusal to assess.

lapwnbx · 30/04/2023 22:24

"I looked at other schools but the situation seems to be the same everywhere. I'm not in the catchment for any other schools either regardless, so without moving or going private there are no other realistic options."

That's surprising, conditions are bad in schools yes, mainly due to a lack of funding and lack of teachers however my experience of the local primary schools that my children attend is very different to yours. There will always be some bad examples but I wouldn't expect every school in your area to be terrible. Also you don't need to be in the catchment area to apply to move your child to a different school. As far as I know If there is space they can attend and if there isn't you could go on a waiting list in the hope that a place may become available in the future.

Snowjokes · 30/04/2023 22:26

Absolutely, there are so many kids who are being failed at the moment. We’re ok for primary but I am really worried about secondary.

If there are any good schools around you with a place, you can move her there. It doesn’t matter if you’re not in catchment. Or you could put her on a waiting list.

For the EHCP, have you appealed the refusal to assess? They refuse virtually all of them at the moment, if you take it to appeal the success rate is something like 85%, absolutely ridiculous and shows how artificial the low initial assessment rate is. Search EHCP on Facebook and there are multiple groups which will help you.

Original poster
BelleMarionette · 30/04/2023 22:27

lapwnbx · 30/04/2023 22:24

"I looked at other schools but the situation seems to be the same everywhere. I'm not in the catchment for any other schools either regardless, so without moving or going private there are no other realistic options."

That's surprising, conditions are bad in schools yes, mainly due to a lack of funding and lack of teachers however my experience of the local primary schools that my children attend is very different to yours. There will always be some bad examples but I wouldn't expect every school in your area to be terrible. Also you don't need to be in the catchment area to apply to move your child to a different school. As far as I know If there is space they can attend and if there isn't you could go on a waiting list in the hope that a place may become available in the future.

In what way has yours been better? I'm really keen to hear.

I live in a deprived inner city area and it's generally overlooked sadly.

OP posts:
rollingpunches · 30/04/2023 22:27

My son is also in year 3 and has asd. He got his ehcp in 2020. And has had 1:1 support ever since. I'm not saying there isn't issues at times. But attainment he is doing well. I really would consider another school.

Original poster
BelleMarionette · 30/04/2023 22:29

DelphiniumBlue · 30/04/2023 22:23

I work in a school where we have had loads of children transferring in because of lack of provision in their original schools - if you feel your current school is not doing /has not done what it could, look around to see if any other local schools are better.
And I don't think it's great to compare Covid with strikes, I think there have been 6 strike days this year, by staff who worked all through Covid and are not being recognised or properly recompensed for their huge contribution.
If you have been left with the impression that keyworker provision was just childcare, maybe your school did not do the best it could have.
That is a different issue to the local authority refusing to assess for an ECHP. Have the school been able to advise on this? Can you revisit their decision with more evidence - as your DD gets older the effects of her autism and the need for additional support might become more apparent. It might be worth posting on the SEN board here for more detailed advice as to what you can do about the refusal to assess.

School were really surprised it was refused to assess, as we presented a lot of evidence, and she is requiring a lot of support. She has a reduced timetable and a one to one. Yet it was still refused, which is clearly an example of gatekeeping to deny funding. I will appeal but this takes time and money.

OP posts:
clareykb · 30/04/2023 22:30

Just to add about appealing the refusal to assess for ehcp. We have just done this with our dd with autism, as soon as we appealing to appeal they magically decoded to assess and she now gets 15hrs 1:1 in her ehcp. I almost think they knock them back and hope no one appeals.

clareykb · 30/04/2023 22:32

Cost us nothing to appeal ..speak to sendiass in your area, they should have sent appeals process information in your letter refusing to assess.

MillieMollieMandy1 · 30/04/2023 22:32

I am surprised your daughter has a 1:1 without an EHCP. So, not everything is negative about her provision.

Original poster
BelleMarionette · 30/04/2023 22:32

clareykb · 30/04/2023 22:30

Just to add about appealing the refusal to assess for ehcp. We have just done this with our dd with autism, as soon as we appealing to appeal they magically decoded to assess and she now gets 15hrs 1:1 in her ehcp. I almost think they knock them back and hope no one appeals.

This is exactly what I think too. But getting a tribunal date takes about a year, and that's a year where she has no funding, which is completely unacceptable.

OP posts:
lapwnbx · 30/04/2023 22:34

"In what way has yours been better? I'm really keen to hear.

I live in a deprived inner city area and it's generally overlooked sadly."

Key worker provision was actual lessons, taught by the class teacher with key worker kids in the classroom with them and the rest of the class working live online along at the same time at home.

My children have had consistent teachers with no supply, one did lose a teacher early in year 2 but they replaced the member of staff with someone else in the school straight away so no supply was needed.

Maybe you could speak to your local MP about additional funding for the school or something like that. I used to live in a very similar area (before I had kids) but the local primary had excellent facilities and loads of additional funding because of the area it was in.

VashtaNerada · 30/04/2023 22:37

You are absolutely right. The funding crisis in schools means there aren’t enough teachers to go round and children with SEND are let down in particular. The strikes are so, so important in getting those points across. All you can do is support the strikers (pop down to the picket line with some hot drinks or a snack - it really is appreciated!) and vote for a party who believe in funding schools.

noblegiraffe · 30/04/2023 22:39

BelleMarionette · 30/04/2023 22:23

I'm not so sure. 6 school days missed this year including next week's one, plus possibly more. That's for children that have already missed out on nearly 3 years of schooling (or 3/4 of their completed school years)

Show quote history

How do you calculate nearly 3 years of missed schooling when schools were closed for 7 months? Even with a year of supply teachers?

Littlefish · 30/04/2023 22:39

I've just supported a friend to challenge a refusal to assess. It took less than 2 months for the appeal to be heard. The appeal panel was highly critical of the school and local authority for their lack of support.

The EHCP assessment is going ahead.

It hasn't cost anything at all so far.

FloatingBean · 30/04/2023 22:42

Do appeal. The waits are still long but refusal to assess appeals are mostly paper based and don’t take as long as refusal to issue/content/placement appeals. Appeals for those out of full time education are also prioritised so let SENDIST know this applies to DD.

If you need independent reports and aren’t eligible for legal aid contact Parents in Need as they can sometimes help.

In the meantime, DD is entitled to a full time education. On its own a part time timetable should be short term aimed at reintegration. After this DD should be in school full time or alternative arrangements made as well/instead of part time school. If the school are informally excluding DD you should refuse to collect unless formally excluded. However if DD can’t attend full time due to her MH/SEN then the LA should be making alternative arrangements to ensure DD receives a full time education so email the Director of Children’s Services informing them of the situation and requesting provision under s.19 of the Education Act 1996. If refused email again threatening judicial review. If that fails contact SOSSEN for help with a pre-action letter.

FloatingBean · 30/04/2023 22:43

In the meantime if the school need additional funding to meet DD’s SEN they can request high needs top up funding, which doesn’t require an EHCP.

1AngelicFruitCake · 30/04/2023 22:48

Surely reception year she had a normal year until March? So 6 months in school, 5 months out. All children were back in Aurumn so year 1 she was in school September - December then mid March-July? Then she was in all of Year 3?

Yes my own children have gaps but I think it’s an exaggeration to say 3 years have been messed up.