Struggling in reception. Suspensions threatened

[22primrose]

My youngest turned 5 in September, so is one of the oldest, but is really struggling with school. He has outbursts of emotion and some hitting at home. A little at nursery, but nothing they couldn’t control, but at school he is struggling to get through a day without hitting either a child or adult.

I’ve met with the school already and risk assessment put in place, but the next week they had already changed strategies several times including removing from lessons for 1-2-1 and allowing him to choose what he does. This backfired on Friday when he was told he couldn’t miss music. He had had a good week, getting stars every day, but the teacher pretty much said don’t be too happy he’s still been difficult. On Friday his behaviour escalated and he picked up a pair of scissors so was sent home - they keep telling me it’s not a suspension, but as it’s January when it would be considered an illegal suspension I don’t have any come back.

There is a TA he particularly responds badly too who has help the door shut to lock him in a room and he lashes out at her when she tries to deal with him.

The school have admitted they don’t have enough staff to provide the support he needs all day and I’m not being asked to keep him off school in the afternoons. They’ve said this is when his behaviour worsens, but that isn’t reflected in his rewards chart. I feel it’s very much a staffing issue. The plan school want to implement would have a lunchtime finish for 3 weeks. Me and his dad work full time.

I was told we have to agree to the reduced timetable, but that he is likely to be suspended if he stays in school full time.

Has anyone come out the other side of this sort of situation who can offer some reassurance?

He would be gutted to not be at the same school as his brother, but now I am thinking it’s not the right place for him.

Ed psych and behaviourist are coming out but not until after half term.

I don't really understand the legalities of suspensions at this age. If that's the main issue you might be better asking either in Primary Education or SN Children.

Good luck OP

Hi @22primrose

I'm sorry that it sounds like you've had quite a stressful experience with your school. You mention they don't have enough staff to support with your sons needs - are the school in a position to apply for additional funding? Have the school put a plan in place to support your DS to go back up to full days?

I ask because your situation is somewhat similar to mine. My DS is 3.5 and just started preschool attached to a primary school - he is speech delayed, refuses to use toilet despite being fully potty trained and has outbursts which resulted in them imposing half days on us (me and husband both work too). However, they are in the process of applying for educational support funding and then they said this would feed in as evidence for an EHCP if he needs it. We have a plan in place to get him up to full days.

Hope you get all the support you need and deserve!

@22primrose just wanted to add that before seeing the Ed psych and behaviourist I would fill in the following assessments:

Speech & Language UK's progress checker for 5 year olds

5 year Ages & Stages &

5 year Social & Emotional Ages & Stagess*

I would complete them and take the two printed ones with you to the appointment.

If the Speech & Language UK results are they he needs some support, you can book a free appointment with one of their SLTs. They are a charity though so you might want to make a donation

Has an EHCNA been requested? If so, what week are you on? If not, make the request yourself ASAP. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

What support is the school providing?

It is still considered an informal unlawful exclusion even if DS is below compulsory school age. The suspension and exclusion guidance makes it clear it (well, most of it, except the bits it is explicit don’t apply) applies to DC attending school who are below CSA. The admissions code also makes it clear DS can attend full time from the September and it is your decision if you send him part time or not at all until CSA.

In the future, you should refuse to collect unless formally suspended. Don’t worry if they do suspend. A formal suspension instead of an unlawful, informal exclusion will a) provide you with evidence of unmet needs, b) force the school to follow due process, c) limit the number of days the school can exclude for, d) allow you to challenge any suspension, and e) ensure DS receives alternative education for longer exclusions once CSA.

It would.probably be better for your son to be home.im the afternoons. He obviously isn't coping with a full day yet. TAs are supposed to assist in learning and placing themselves in physical harm's way to keep your son and other children safe really shouldn't be something they have to deal with in a school not specifically for higher needs children. It's not best for anyone, him included.
I'd be keeping him home in the pm and looking for assessments and funding and other suitable.provision if possible.