Change of class request

[LetsgoEspeon]

My son will be starting p5 next year (we’re in Scotland). He has an ASD diagnosis. He’s very bright and well-behaved. Although the composition of classes changes each year (depending on that year’s given intake), we have been extremely fortunate in that he has been with a core group of friends each year, thus far. These friends have encouraged him to really enjoy school, boosted his confidence and helped him to participate fully in school life.
Here’s the AIBU….we’ve just received his class allocation for next year and while all his friends are in the P5 class, he’s going to be one of only 6 p5 children in a p5/6 composite class. He isn’t friends with any of them and knows very few of the older children that will make up the vast majority of the cohort. Would I be unreasonable to ask the school whether it would be possible for him to be moved to the p5 class? Does anyone have any experience of a similar situation? I should add that there is no issue with his teacher. We would be very happy with any teacher in the school. Thoughts much appreciated, thanks.

Not unreasonable to ask.
Maybe ask their reasoning and raise your concern re friends?

He may have been put in this class because he’s more academically able and better equipped to cope with being taught with p6 children.

But I would say you are definitely reasonable to ask for him to be moved. If he has an official diagnosis the school are required to make reasonable adjustments for him, and if he copes better with his friends around, that could be classed as a reasonable adjustment in my mind.

Also, if you don’t ask you don’t get. No harm in asking.

Thank you both, that advice is very helpful. I had thought that it may possibly be classed as a reasonable adjustment. I’ll email the school and ask for a meeting…

I get it - i have a son who sounds very similar to yours, and next year his school will mix the 2 classes in the year group.

I would talk to whoever is most appropriate, not sure how it works in Scotland but for me it would be the SENCO based on their involvement and the good working relationship we already have. I would approach it as a discussion around my concerns and wanting to understand the reasoning for him being in that class, and what things will look like next year, rather than just "can my child move". It may be that they haven't fully considered/appreciated your son's social needs, or it could be that they have solid reasoning for the decision.

Not unreasonable but it mean a child would have to move to the other group if no space and the school won't do that. But if you don't ask you don't get so ask and see if it's possible.

I did exactly this with one of my sons several years ago, I was quite emotional speaking to the headteacher, voice broke but no tears. He was lovely, understood and moved my boy, I did see him very quickly after the classes were announced, though.
Having said that, friendship groups do change and my boy makes friends very easily so I think he would have made new friends in the new class, so don’t worry too much if you can’t get the outcome you'd like.

I would definitely ask - you have nothing to lose. I expect the school might be resistant though.

The same thing happened to me when I was in primary school (I’m also autistic) It was very unsettling and I was not happy for a while but I did get used to it and was fine in the end.

Thanks, as far as I’m aware classes are split purely along age lines (i.e. the eldest 6 p4s are being moved up). I’m not sure whether it would mean that a child would have to move (which of course, we would not expect) as the number cap for classses appears to be quite fluid in Scotland (please correct me if I’m wrong).

I think it's fine to ask. Be prepared though for a no. Sounds like your son is more academic and has been put in the mixed class because of this. He will still get to see his friends at break, and surely at this point of school he would be sat at a desk learning rather than playing, so having friends in the class may seem less relevant, and the school want to help him achieve his academic potential.

Sorry to hear that @dizzydizzydizzy. I suspect they might be resistant too. I’m glad to hear that you settled eventually. It feels such a shame as my son has come on leaps and bounds at the school and we feel this lack of his support network (and other familiar faces) could really set him back.

You have a very valid reason so I contact and ask . I wonder why they allocated him in a different class. Please listen as the may also have valid reason .

Totally different situation but one year in my DD school a girl wasn't put in a class group . Her mother went marching in to demand a change . Turned out the DD was moved out due to an ongoing issue with her being a bully Queen B type .

You raise a fair point @MoonnstarzWe would have no issue if even only one of his friends was going to be with him though. It’s the total lack of familiarity/scaffolding…

@NofeckingwayThanks, we feel it’s valid too. The classes are allocated based purely on age at his school. So it’s the eldest 6 children going into the composite (including me son). Oh gosh, the much in question must have been mortified! Interesting that schools allocate classes differently. I assumed it would have been standardised….

That’s great to hear @Foodiefan . I’m very pleased things worked out for you and your son. Also very heartening to hear that a change is not impossible (it gives me some hope, thanks!).

Definitely ask. I've never known a school to not move kids for valid reasons, and yours seem more valid than lots I've seen happen. Usually, in England classes are a complete mix of age and abilities within the year group, nobody would be moved purely because of their birthday.

That’s interesting @Thatcannotberight, and encouraging -ty!

I hope the school agrees to your request but if not you do at least have some preparation time. Hopefully the SENCO will be supportive.

Also, as your son is bright, I suspect he will be more resilient than you are expecting. I was worried about DC1 when they went to a big secondary school and knew nobody (they were fine) and again when they moved 80ish miles away to start a new job and also knew nobody - again they were fine.

I know as parents, we worry a lot about our kids having no friends, so I do understand.

This happened to me as a child and it was awful! Do all you can to get him moved!

The problem is that teaching doesn't just involve children sitting at their desks working - they would be doing some paired and group work in class, and working together on things like projects, research etc, to say nothing of PE, drama etc.

Hello

Doesn't sound like their reasoning is academic setting.

Therefore, I'd send a formal email about his ASD diagnosis making sure you highlight the importance that these children have had on your son's social development. Then make sure you state your request for a form change but making sure you say 'it's a reasonable adjustment for his ASD.'

Although I get your thinking and fully understand where you are coming from this may be a good chance for him to learn not to be over reliant on certain friends now while he is in a safe environment as in a couple of years he will be moving to a whole new setting AND is unlikely to be with the same people all day every day.

focus with him on the fact he will still see them at break times and out of school.

@84woodThis advice is much appreciated and to be honest was what I was hoping to hear. I’ll proceed as you suggest. I have requested a meeting with the headmaster but will send a list of my points/concerns ahead of the meeting. My fear is that if everything is verbal it will be easier for them to say “no”

Absolutely - put your request in writing and make it super detailed giving individual examples of how your child has progressed. Then state - 'reasonable adjustment' request. Make sure it reads like you're take this further.

Making your ASD child practice their social skills is just not on. ASD and progress is much harder so push hard.

Why do people jump the gun so much. Why not a word with the class teacher initially? On MN it seems people always charge in when often issues can be resolved easily without putting everyone's back up.
Ask the current teacher for whether they can explain why he has been put in that class (as it's likely that they have been involved in decision making). As that teacher has had him all year surely she/he would see how your son has progressed and would be the best advocate for saying if this is in his interests. Going straight to the head who is less likely to know the class dynamics means they will go back to the teacher who will then be annoyed you didn't speak to them about your concerns.

As a teacher, I would never put a child with ASD into an unfamiliar class. I wouldn't put any child into a class without any of their friend group in it either. Whilst logically age may be a starting point for delegating classes, it should not be the only factor.

I think you would be very reasonable to ask for a meeting to clarify their reasoning for putting child in the mixed year group class. Then explain to them your concerns regarding his need which actually should have had priority consideration over anything else. If they don't include this in their own reasoning I would be very concerned.