Looking for advice
My 6 year old boy in Year 2 is struggling with phonics and reading. He has struggled consistently since reception. He seems to get the individual sounds but blending is the challenge for him. I've consistently raised concerns with the school and they have done group interventions. At the end of year 1 we scored 9 on the phonics screening test and at my wits end I hired a tutor who we saw a few times a week in summer and now weekly. We have saw improvements he is reading level 3 books with more fluency (however, still perhaps a way behind where he should be).
The school suggested in July he should repeat year 1 phonics which I accepted, however, after the summer they said they had heard him read and had allowed him to progress. At parents evening his teacher wasn't sure of his progress as phonics is taught as a year group and as it's a village school classes are mixed ages. I made an appointment with the phonics teacher who told me he has too many gaps and should be with the year 1's for phonics. A bit annoying as if I hadn't raised the issue would they have raised it with me.I spoke to headteacher and she has said she agrees he should be with year 1. She will refer for Sen support (feels like this just gives school advice). Her main reasoning is suspected dyslexia. Rather worryingly she said he may never catch up.
Couple of notable points. He seems like a bright boy, his vocabulary is excellent and he is really interested in the world and science but for whatever reason phonics is not something that is clicking. The other thing is in a short time he has made great progress with the tutor so he is capable of learning when supported. The school are generally unaware of his progress haven't heard him read since September(!) and when I ask what gaps he has they just say he isn't at level 5! I've asked them to reassess him properly.
Apologies for long post has anyone got any advice of what I can do to support him. We do daily reading. Also I'm frustrated with the school as it feels like they have basically said he will always be behind.