I would appreciate thoughts or experiences. My son is 8 (9 in June) and we’ve had a challenging 6 months since he went back to school. He is a very loving, affectionate boy. Quite immature for his age and physically smaller than a lot of the boys, he’s also one of the youngest in his peer group. He has always been very emotional particularly if his feeling are hurt, he gets embarrassed etc and when triggered can lash out. Over the years of nursery school we’ve always had the odd incident where he got in a altercation but nothing beyond the normal range (This is direct from the SENCO at school) He struggled a lot with lockdown last year, really, missed school and his friends. When he went back in Sept he struggled. I kept being called over by his teacher for the odd incident where he would push someone or something along those lines. Then just before October half term I was called over, he had kicked a boy hard leaving a bruise. School were not happy and we told him off and banned screen time for the weekend. We’ve always used the more carrot than stick approach with him as it works better, he is really motivated by praise. So he spent all weekend a bit sulky. Then on the Monday I got a call from the head of the school. He has punched a girl in the face and the head was very angry with him. He was made to sit in her office all lunch the following day and she made it clear to me and him that this behaviour was unacceptable and if it continued it would be a path to exclusion. She did not hold back and I was terrified. My son was beside himself, the whole thing was traumatic. We made an appointed to meet the SENCO and discuss how they could support and referral options. We made the decision to get him private play therapy with a trained counsellor which seems to have helped. His behaviour has improved and he is learning how to deal with negative emotions, he is in school now as classed as vulnerable. Then yesterday I get called by the head. He used inappropriate language with a child and told her ‘I am getting to get in the bath and squeeze your sister boobs’ I was absolutely mortified and have heard him use this language before. When he came home he was upset and said another boy had told him to say it and I honestly don’t think he really understood the gravity of the words – although he does now. He is easily lead and a ‘sheep’ within him group.. he can be very naïve. We are ensuring consequences to negative behaviour but also really do reward positive behaviour. I just feel like school are forming a negative view of him and he’s on the heads radar and it really worries me. Anything else we can do? I try to school we are listening and taking it seriously.