Disruptive kids in class

[Strangerfings1]

My DC year 4 hates school and it's because of the behaviour or a few kids in their class. At the end of year 2 the classes in the year were mixed. I think because all the "naughty" kids were in the same form. Now we have a bunch of disruptive kids, including 1 with SN who sometimes gets violent when he's wound up (which another kid Seems to enjoy doing) a couple who are sort of easily distracted and get "sucked in" to playing up and 1 particular child who's behaviour is frankly a nightmare. Now I assume this child has difficulties of some sort so this isn't a blame thing but is there anything I can ask the school to do? Some examples of the behaviour of this child include hitting / attacking other children (even in the classroom!) Getting up, shouting and running around, throwing things and he even ripped all the pages out of the books in the library corner. The whole class regularly miss break time as a punishment, often miss PE due to the threat of fighting in say, football, and end up not really doing any schoolwork because the teacher is having to deal with urgent behaviour issues.
Lots of the other children are either frightened, bored or just resentful for being punished for the behaviour of a few. And I really worry that they're falling behind because they can't get work done.
Is there anything I can ask the school to do, or is it just put up or try and move schools?
Thank you.

Tutors and extra curriculars are a lot cheaper than the £5k we've spent so far on getting assessments and support for our SEN child (all of which are theoretically available in the public sector, apart from they're not really).

EHCP has taken 13 months so far and now a wait for tribunal (another 10 months).

The whole situation stinks, for everyone!

We had similar issues in my daughter’s school and we moved her. Her new school is a small village school and the difference is astonishing. There are no major behavioural issues and she is actually learning every day for the first time. Best decision ever.

If we had a small village school option I'd happily look into it. Unfortunately we live in a city with a bunch of oversubscribed schools. Our "outstanding" school hasn't been reviewed by Ofsted since 2011 I think.

Yep, just checked. 2011. Which is 2 years before it become an academy and 4 years before my kids were even born!

The problem with academies is there's another layer between the school and the local authorities who still provide what limited SEN support there is.

I haven't read every reply but I found this post whilst questioning a change of school for mine also in year 4 . I would.like to share his story with you . Now first and foremost you must obviously put your child and their needs first and.prehaps have a conversation with them. Perhaps this child is being bullied ? My son was bullied by a perticular boy in year r . At the time he couldn't speak or hear so actually had to point this boy out . I thought it was resolved . It wasn't . Year three he finally burst and told me it never stopped and he couldn't take it anymore I went to the school who assured me it would be ok . My child has NEVER shown any aggressive,angry or down right rude behaviour. Hand on heart he's wonderful!! He went into year 4 this year and this same child is in his class . My child is now launching tables ,kicking chairs ,ripping stuff up chucking pens and just being disruptive!!! He's now been excluded . Never once been in trouble but now has had 2 internal and 2external in 2 weeks.he tells me why should he be excluded for making people unsafe when the school have not kept him safe for 5 years ? He would prefer to be disruptive and lose break time so he doesn't get kicked and punched as much. These kids pretend they are getting things then punch him while actively in class. He feels frustrated , angry,not listened too and quite frankly exhausted .now I do understand your worry there was another child being mean but as my son said this kid targeted Everyone he had "behaviour" issues he didn't see this kid as a bully because it was clear this was not targeted or if the child has emotional issues it could be more complex ! This other child bullying him specifically targets my child . Now the school are ADAMANT he has Sen needs and needs a Sen school . I cannot slap my son with a life long diagnosis after 2 months of disruptive behaviour following FIVE YEARS of bullying . I'd be ready to snap too......... I just wanted to give the other side . My son is a pain in the bum but not to this extent usually .maybe this child needs a friend ?

I agree whole class punishment 1.if the child is being bullied the created more resentment. 2. It doesn't fix the individual child's issue and address the actual problem whether that's emotional , behaviour or a further cause.

Class punishments & not doing PE are ridiculous considering how important play and burning off energy is especially for those with asd.
my son has autism but he wouldn’t say boo to a goose as he is a rule follower, one of his friends has autism/adhd and needs to have more movement they can leave the class whenever in secondary and go to a quiet room to work.
When my son was at primary school, all the kids with additional needs had sensory circuit as soon as they arrive at school, an extra playtime in the afternoon and use of a sensory room when needed.

Be careful about what you term the whole class punishments. No it is not acceptable to punish everyone. You may however find that it is not just the kid or kids your son has told you about. Not playing football because they are fighting or playing aggressively may well be the right call.

This is education in the current climate. And I'm afraid it's only gonna get worse.

Completely agree with this . Although it's not usually every one and NOBODY should miss out that hasn't done anything wrong . Very difficult balance to strike .

I am the mother of what would have been two of 'them' children and also worked as an lsa ( on a 1 to 1 basis actually responsible for 12 kids). Yes complain to the schools absolutely also stand alongside parents of those who have sen children who are begging for more semh and sen schools and places because believe me we want the best education for our kids and your kids and often neither are being met .

Great! So what do you suggest?

Is private school an option for you?

Of course, the kids aren't all angelic 100% of the time but there isn't the kind of behaviour you describe at all.

Put everything in writing. Copy in safeguarding. Encourage any other parents who mention it to do it too. It must be in writing.

If you have a discussion follow it up with an email.

‘Dear Mrs Jones
thank you for your time today.
You said that x would happen going forward when a child misbehaves. Do you think this is sufficient to safeguard the other children in class? If they continue to misbehave what will happen next’.
They may just point to the behaviour policy but get it all in writing.

Had this issue a while back in my dd class. Once the main offender turned 10 and hurt another pupil, the parents (who were sick of the schools lack of action) went straight to the police and complained to the governors, ofsted and the local authority. The same child (same week) hurt another child and police report again. The school presumably didn’t want the police and paperwork and the behaviour policy was made stricter, followed to the letter and the boy spent break time indoors most days - which safeguarded the other children that he regularly hurt.

@Valeriekat you remove wants not needs! Taking away childrens play time impacts on their ability to regulate.

So in our school we work more carrot, earn a token X number of tokens equal golden time on a Friday. Children vote their choice of activity.

But you have to set it up to ensure it is achievable by all children because children have different capacity and development timelines.

It works, our school has a high level of SEN support, the children use restorative justice and the whole school community work very much on a core mutual respect basis.

I've seen many children benefit hugely from this approach and go on to successfully engage in secondary school because they were supported in figuring out what works for them and how to self advocate.