AIBU for being upset for my child not being in the same class for Reception as his other friends from Pre-school?

[belxbel]

And... he's the ODD ONE OUT. There's 9 children from the pre-school joining the school for Reception this September, and my son is the ONLY ONE that being placed to a different class. I know I know he can make new friends, and the still can play together at break times... But my child also autistic, that we are so looking forward for Reception in September as the teachers, school admins, and SEND team had shown great support.

There's many collaborations and interaction between the Pre-school and School, so it's very unlikely they didn't know my child IS in the pre-school with with other 8 children. Plus, we are a close group of parents, that has got constant playdates, and small birthday parties together.

I have approached the school, and as expected I got a very official, corporate, PC speech. That they do the split based on MANY CONSIDERATIONS, and there are even twins that's not in the same class etc etc.

I know there's no chance I able to get switched, as all confirmations had sent out and everyone already have placed in one class. I still can't help to feel upset and to think this is too deliberate (but why?). 😢

I maintain that to separate her child, an autistic child, from the 8, yes EIGHT others he knows requires a decent explanation on why such a move is best for her child. Obviously they can't disclose anything about the other 8 children but there had better be a good reason they did this to her child. However, it doesn't seem they are able to give a good reason. That is not the sign of a good or inclusive school. I get more upset the more I think about it. In a cohort of 60, I don't believe it would have been impossible to mix the eight children up a bit more even if there were considerations such as special needs, boy/ girl weighting etc.

You may find that the parents of the other children have perhaps asked to be separated.

There was an autistic girl who latched on to a few other kids in my sons class and they were constantly bundled together to keep the autistic girl happy. After a while the other parents go a bit fed up of it and asked for it to not happen.

But equally many children start school not knowing anyone.

My son knew a few from preschool but he immediately made best friends with a new little boy who didn’t know anyone. They’re 10 and they’re still besties!

Don’t whinge to the school though. Lots of factors go in to things like that. You may find if your child has a 1:1, that they’ve put him in a class where they can utilise the TA with other children who have extra needs. Funding is tight at our school so that’s what they tend to do with the extra support.

My dd got split from her friends halfway through primary, I was distraught for her. Turned out it was one of the best decisions the school ever made for her.

Honestly kids are less bothered by this sort of thing than the children are. He'll make friends again and still have the ones from reception