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Original poster

SEN school closed already. Could cry for my boy.

81 replies

newyeary · 04/01/2021 18:23

ASD school already closed as they've said they don't have enough staff and don't plan on reopening. They've told us they have already moved to the remote learning that we are all used last lockdown. Thank you and goodbye - basically.

Remote learning last time was a worksheet each day uploaded to their website and a weekly zoom which no children ever attended for obvious reasons. Their school day is so much more. They have lots of learning, daily mental health lessons, daily SALT, social communication groups etc. They have a right to their EHCP. I'm so sad that his fabulous school when he's there is giving up on them so quickly. Obviously they can't be taught remotely so they get nothing? This happened last time and no one was allowed to attend for for 2 months and then only 1 day a week.

DS is 10 and has already missed half of his primary school years due to no school being available and then lockdown. He's an only child. No friends outside of school. No contact with anyone. No interests except deteriorating mental health without the regularity of school. I'm so sad for him and us. His life chances are already so compromised.

OP posts:
OverTheRainbow88 · 04/01/2021 18:24

😔 it’s terrible: I’m sorry.

Hopefully the school has got it’s act together and has planned for this so will Provide more suitable teaching

LoveACockatoo · 04/01/2021 18:29
Flowers
Thedarksideofthemoon30 · 04/01/2021 18:30

My daughter has had the same, she’s in reception. Email last night at 10pm saying they won’t be open today, and then an email today saying they are closing.

Bvop · 04/01/2021 18:31

Flowers I’m sorry to hear you’re going through this.

PurpleHoodie · 04/01/2021 18:32

I couldn't read and run.

I'm so, so sorry for you and your boy. FlowersBrew

Are there any online-offline homeschooling type groups in your local area. Especially for children with SEN issues?

Hopefully they may have some practical solutions x

TheFallenMadonna · 04/01/2021 18:32

Gosh. I'm AP not special, but the expectation is that vulnerable children, including those with EHCPs, can attend school. They must have a lot of staff in the NEU...

Original poster
newyeary · 04/01/2021 18:33

@OverTheRainbow88

😔 it’s terrible: I’m sorry.

Hopefully the school has got it’s act together and has planned for this so will Provide more suitable teaching

They've already told us what the education will be - same as last lockdown. A worksheet each day on the school website for parents to do with the child. Nothing else. It's just not good enough. But these kids can't do more or work remotely or engage in zoom. They are bloody vulnerable and forgotten about.
OP posts:
Original poster
newyeary · 04/01/2021 18:34

@TheFallenMadonna

Gosh. I'm AP not special, but the expectation is that vulnerable children, including those with EHCPs, can attend school. They must have a lot of staff in the NEU...
With LEA SEN schools, they are just going down the blanket line of 'we have to close to keep kids safe' and we can't stay open for everyone with an EHCP.
OP posts:
PurpleHoodie · 04/01/2021 18:35

www.tessenshow.co.uk/news/articles/home-resources

Here's a start.

I wished I'd seen these earlier.

TheFallenMadonna · 04/01/2021 18:35

We have to stay open for all our students as they are all considered vulnerable. Unless the guidance changes significantly...

formerbabe · 04/01/2021 18:36

I'm so sorry Flowers

Original poster
newyeary · 04/01/2021 18:37

@TheFallenMadonna

We have to stay open for all our students as they are all considered vulnerable. Unless the guidance changes significantly...
I think most independent SEN schools and AP last time did but most LEA schools didn't (looking at the other thread about disabled children). They closed due to lack of staff and then never reopened.
OP posts:
LegoAndLolDolls · 04/01/2021 18:38

Can you email the chair of governors? Say that the provision needs to be improved or a rotate to get at least some of the kids in.

SEND are always the first under the bus in every situation in education

PickAChew · 04/01/2021 18:42

@TheFallenMadonna

Gosh. I'm AP not special, but the expectation is that vulnerable children, including those with EHCPs, can attend school. They must have a lot of staff in the NEU...
Ds2's school has stated that children with ehcp and looked after children aren't automatically considered to be vulnerable.
cansu · 04/01/2021 18:42

I think that is pretty terrible. Given that schools are asked to accept some key worker and vulnerable children, that isn't acceptable. My dd's school last time first asked parents who wanted a place then looked at staffing and offered time fairly. There is no reason why your son's school can't do this. You need to push back on this. I am a teacher and I agree with school closures but there is a responsibility to vulnerable and key worker kids. Schools cannot unilaterally close and that includes sen schools.

Original poster
newyeary · 04/01/2021 18:43

@LegoAndLolDolls

Can you email the chair of governors? Say that the provision needs to be improved or a rotate to get at least some of the kids in.

SEND are always the first under the bus in every situation in education

We've been talking about doing something like this - contacting the head or COG to say they need more but I don't want it to look badly on the teacher who is amazing. She knows none of the class can work remotely and I don't want her being made the scapegoat.

It's tricky as A LOT of the parents have been vocal about how it's unsafe for them to attend and should be closed etc. They don't seem to be as concerned about the long term effects more the risk of covid only so it's easy for them to go along with the majority.

OP posts:
TheFallenMadonna · 04/01/2021 18:44

Pretty sure that's in consultation with parents and other professionals though.

Original poster
newyeary · 04/01/2021 18:45

@cansu

I think that is pretty terrible. Given that schools are asked to accept some key worker and vulnerable children, that isn't acceptable. My dd's school last time first asked parents who wanted a place then looked at staffing and offered time fairly. There is no reason why your son's school can't do this. You need to push back on this. I am a teacher and I agree with school closures but there is a responsibility to vulnerable and key worker kids. Schools cannot unilaterally close and that includes sen schools.
I'm sure they will take a few vulnerable kids but DS is in no way more vulnerable than any other ASD kid at a SEN school, no SW involvement etc.
OP posts:
Solidaritea · 04/01/2021 18:51

The thing here is actually to go above the school. If your child has an ehcp, then the local authority has a legal obligation to provide what is set out in it. This was not the case in spring/summer 2020, so this time should be different.

Original poster
newyeary · 04/01/2021 18:54

@Solidaritea

The thing here is actually to go above the school. If your child has an ehcp, then the local authority has a legal obligation to provide what is set out in it. This was not the case in spring/summer 2020, so this time should be different.
This is the bit I'm confused about - surely all schools know this of kids with EHCPs - they have a legal right to what is set out in it. But they've NO way of doing that unless they are in school. So what happens if they don't? What can the LEA do?
OP posts:
Thefeep · 04/01/2021 18:55

My son goes to an independent special needs college. It closed last time (he is residential term time) but he went back in May. They’ve didn't mention closing again When I took him back after Christmas. I’m dreading it to be honest if they do.

Dee1975 · 04/01/2021 18:56

I’m so sorry for your big and all the others in this situation. The virus has ruined so many life’s. And I don't know what the solution is. The rota system as suggested seems like a good idea though. Good luck op.

Dee1975 · 04/01/2021 18:57

Meant to say ‘sorry for your boy’ (not big! Damn auto type!)

Solidaritea · 04/01/2021 19:01

Legally, it is not the school who are required to provide what's in your son's ehcp - it's the LEA. Obviously most of this is normally delegated to the school.

I can't tell from your posts if you know why school is closed or for how long, which might be relevant but it's so hard to know at the moment.

Do you have an LEA contact eg. His SEN caseworker? (this is where it all becomes a minefield as every LA is different). I would suggest that you contact them to find out how your child's Ehcp will be met while school is closed. Things like SALT are absolutely their responsibility to coordinate.

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 04/01/2021 19:01

Why can't they at least provide some days , other schools have to take in keyworkers and vunerable so surely having them in part time means less in , but at least some time for schoos

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