11 year old son struggles to make friends at school

[sonicmum2002]

My 11 year old struggles to fit in at school. he does have a couple of friends (2 years younger than him) at school, but he is dyspraxic and finds it hard to join in playground games like football. Today at the open day for high school, it was really sad to see the other boys in his class pretty much ostracising him (he comes across as being a bit different, excitable and clumsy). The school haven't been much help despite me asking several times. He goes to after school clubs and sports clubs at lunchtime so that helps a bit, but my heart goes out to him! It's a difficult situation - the other parents at the school tend to be cliquey and don't make much effort beyond their group. Arghhh! Anyone had a similar experience, or can advise? Thank you so much!

Does he actually want to have more friends?

It's quite hard, speaking as a teacher, to create friendships for pupils. I'd tend to try mixing the groups up a bit to see if any of the children hit it off. We encourage group playground games so no one is left out but even then you can't manufacture a friendship between individual children.

It's possible he's quite happy as he is. I used to get upset seeing the children who would drift from one game/ group to another without having a special buddy but now I realise that for some children this is completely ok and doesn't bother them. I was projecting my need for friends on to the children.

He does he feel about it? It's possible school is a no-goer but maybe if he has specific interests (martial arts, scouts, model making etc) he could make friends outside of school which will boost his confidence and maybe provide a few buddies for when he starts secondary school?