SENCO Assessment

[Glitterybee]

Hello

My daughter is at a grammar school, in her 3rd year and today I’ve received a letter from the school advising me that they want to have her assessed by the schools SENCO lead.

I have zero experience of SEN. She is my youngest and they’ve all went through grammar school without any issues.

Her grades are a mixed bag. Most are average within her year group, sitting at around 70%. There’s a few subjects she excels in and consistently achieves more than 90% in, and a couple that she struggles with.

The school has never flagged any concerns to me, so I was quite shocked when I opened this letter.

Does anyone know what the assessment could be for?

I know IABU as I should just ring the school and discuss it with them but I figured most staff would be finished for today so trying trusty old mumsnet first!

thank you

I’ve known very bright children be diagnosed with dyslexia at grammar schools. They have been able to mask it and achieve well at primary school but when they get to secondary and the only children they are around are high achieving academically, the difficulties start to show.

I mean, you've already agreed this, but honestly, anybody here would just be randomly guessing. You need to arrange to speak to the SENCo.

I know no one can answer for sure but what are the possibilities please?

Dyslexia is the only thing I can think of? Would ADHD be something they’re considering? Is that even within their remit.

Im asking because ADHD is common within my wider family and I have it. But there’s never been any concerns about my children, so I’m just shocked and wondering if I’ve missed signs.

Could be - and it would be normal for your family, making it less likely you'd notice she was different to others, especially with being smart, too.

Could also be ASD, particularly amongst girls. You wouldn't have a clue for my DD, I'm still not sure myself. But she masks incredibly well. And all kinds of neurodivergence exhibit so differently.

If senco are going to assess where I work, it's for learning support reasons and yr9 is when it will happen.

Usually a teacher flags to senco that a pupil is struggling to finish work in a certain time. The assessment is often done by an outside person who will test for reading and writing speeds.

Depending on the outcome your child might get extra support lessons, plus teaching staff can start to gather evidence which might entitle your child to extra time in GCSEs.

I'm an exams officer so work closely with senco on this.

I also have a child who was assessed for learning support in yr5.

I’m surprised that the school haven’t specified what kind of “assessment” and what for. The only way you’ll find out is if you ask them. A SENCO isn’t qualified to assess for ASD, ADHD or dyslexia, or anything else in that sphere.

I wonder if they mean assessing her for additional time or other adjustments for any external exams. You mention she is in her third year, so presumably Year 9?

But a SENCO isn’t qualified to assess to ASD. But saying that they’re unlikely to be qualified to assess for dyslexia.

OP, you need to ring and find out what they want to assess, or it an assessment or screening and what is happening which has made them concerned.

No but my reading of that is they want to refer for an assessment, which would come from the SENCO. With a view to submitting to CAHMS.

Grammar school? Anyone not exceptional, they'll be looking at ways to get them extra time to boost results.

It will be for speeds of processing to see if she needs extra time. There are no assessments for Autism or ADHD that a SENCO can do only observations. Don’t worry, this may well be a result of a data trawl or a screening test. It won’t be diagnostic in nature.

My guess is to get things in plac to maximise their (her) exam results. Hopefully it will benefit.

Fab thank you all! I really appreciate the advice.