My Yr6 ds has had help taken away without telling me. What can I do?

[pepsi]

My ds is in year 6 and has very mild aspergers. He does not qualify for a statement and is in mainstream state school. He doesnt require routine, is well behaved, has been away camping with cubs and is not distruptive. Twice a week for the last three years he has been going to an early morning catch up class for his literacy as he is way behind ....at the top end of level 2, although his maths, reading and science are all good and where they should be. He really struggles with writing, spelling and concentration. When the catch up sessions started this week I realised I had signed the attendance form and when I checked with the school his teacher told me that he wasnt doing them any more because it wasnt fair on the rest of the children that do it as he requires more attention. I asked what would be done in its place and unless they can get a parent to come in then its basically nothing. Im am so upset that the teacher did not think to discuss this with us and that no one in the last three years have ever spoken to me about any of this. The feedback that I have had is that he was very good in his early morning sessions. I have a meeting with the teacher next week. What rights for him do I have as I feel that basically the system has given up on him.

Sorry, that should have said "had not signed the attendance form"

All of this needs to be specified on his IEP. Is he at School Action, or School Action+? Does he have an IEP? Do you review it termly?

Level 2 in Year 6 means there are serious problems and he needs to be on an intervention. They can't give up on it, nor can they tell you they don't have the resources.

You need to make an appt with the SENCO and find out exactly what they will do to help him make 'adequate progres' this year (which is defined as the same level of progress as his peers.)

His IEP needs to be full of SMART target (Specific, Mearuable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)

eg. Will consitantly do X by Christmas.

You will get a lot more advice if you post this question on the SN board....

But you definately need to go into school and be even more pro-active and assertive than you have been in the past.

Can I just echo what Indigo Bell has written, you are your child's advocate with the system and you need to be jumping up and down to get everything that you are entitled to - don't worry if your school think you a PITA.

This is nothing to do with fairness, it is about access to the curriculum and your son is just as much entitled to it as any other child.

He is on an IEP although I havent seen it yet this year. He isnt on any of the schemes mentioned. I asked for the SENCO to be present at the meeting next week and his teacher and said it is not necessary.

At the end of Year 5 his repor says 2a/3c.

Sorry, rushing here, I should have said that the teacher said that having the SENCO present was not necessary.

Get in touch with these people before you meet with the school. I have only heard wonderful things about the support and advice they give.

www.sossen.org.uk/

They provide "A free, friendly and confidential Nationwide helpline for parents and others seeking clarification, help and advice in the bewildering world of Special Educational Needs".

Good luck.

Pepsi - an IEP isn't a document you just 'see'. You should be reviewing it and contributing to it as necessary.

Here are my LEA's guidelines for what an IEP should contain:

Children considered to be receiving help at SEN Action should have a written Individual Education Plan (IEP) which includes the following information:

? What special help is being given
? How often the child will receive this help
? Who will provide the help
? What progress targets have been set
? How and when progress will be checked
? What help can be given at home

IEPs should be discussed with the parents or carers, and if possible, with the child. The IEP should normally be reviewed at least twice a year.

The teacher can't say 'it's not necessary' for you to see the SENCO. Make a seperate appt to see the SENCO - today.

You are going to have to make so much more fuss than you have been. A level 2 in year 6 is not accepatable for an able kid. Does he struggle with physically writing? Does he need to use a computer?

He is very slow in writing, struggles copying from the board accurately, has dreadful spelling, ie. tooth would be toof, birthday - berfday. When rushed he doesnt leave spaces between rush, or capital letters at start of sentences. He is a bright boy but has a real block on writing and actually getting started. I have asked about a computer and offered to buy one but the school has always said no. We have also offered to fund someone to come in and help but this always meets witha no. I am awaiting a call back from the head.

There is absolutely no reason why he shouldn't be able to type in class. You shouldn't have to buy it either. My boy is at a fairly similair level to yours, but one year younger, and he's allowed to use a computer in class, plus is on a daily handwriting intervention, plus has other support as well.

Has he been seen by an occupational therapist?

The school is clearly not addressing the issue that your child has and the teacher seems to be making unacceptable excuses for not putting something in place.
I would formally complain in writing to the headteacher and ask them what they intend to do to improve your sons situation if the head does not come back with something that satisfies you.