WWYD?

[CouthyMow]

My DS2 is just finishing Y3. He has some SN's, and due to development delay has a few issues as he is not often playing the sane games as his peers.

He is quite old for Y3, he will turn 9yo just 7 weeks into Y4. He is very quiet, and doesn't speak out about things that happen to him.

Yesterday, my Ex picked him up from school, and was told that there had been an 'incident' that meant that DS2 had had to have his clothes changed. He wasn't told much else.

On arrival home, DS2 was behaving very uncharacteristically. Rather than stay in the front room with everyone (he doesn't like being alone, part of his SN's), he took himself off to his room and say quietly in there for hours. He wouldn't talk to me about what happened.

I have had a 'preliminary reply' from the Governors, will post it up shortly.

Dear 'CouthyMow'

I acknowledge receipt of your letter of complaint dated 18th July 2012. I am carrying out preliminary investigations, but will be unable to complete them until the start of the new academic year in September.

Please rest assured that this matter is being dealt with promptly, but has been slightly delayed due to the summer break and the unavailability of some individuals. At the appropriate time, I will write to you again to request a meeting or phone call. I trust that this will be fine.

Yours sincerely, xxxx, Complaints Governor.

And to answer an earlier question that I missed, after speaking with my Ex-P (DS2's dad), the school were VERY vague about what had actually happened in the incident, and had mentioned nothing to him at all about his underwear being pulled down, or even coming down when being dragged. Mostly because they didn't tell him that DS2 HAD been dragged, just that he had been pushed into the mud...

fingers crossed that this happens and 'something' will bring a positive shift in the right direction...

In the meantime...perhaps this person could easily meet with you to discuss things further with you and you can ensure they have the fullest picture of your POV, experience and what you want to happen....I might be phoning to see about an appointment to do this....???

And the chances are that DS3 will also end up at this school, even if I don't put it down as one of my 3 choices at all, because they will have space for an extra 30 DC's, as the 'bulge' year that is 3FE, my DS2's year, will have left for Secondary. Meaning they will be the only local school with room for a 'bulge' class.

Scares the heebie-jeebies out of me that I might end up with ANOTHER DC at this school. So I have to 'fix' the school, rather than ignore the situation, because I could easily have another 10 years to go through this school. With no choice to move schools yet again due to DS3 being in a very high birth year.

So I need to know ways in which to change the working practices if the school, for the year my DS1 has left there, for the 3 years my DS2 has left there, and potentially (and probably) for the 7 years my DS3 may (will likely) have to spend there.

Grrrrrr.

The thought of another 10 years of this shit, after 8 years of it do far, is enough to give me a nervous breakdown.

I HAVE to change the ethos and working policies of the school, I can't fail, as I will then be storing up problems for my DS3.

The HT is fairly young-ish too, and is unlikely to retire for at least another 15 years. And he sees it as 'his' school, it is his project, and he is unlikely to move on when he is being given MORE autonomy over the running of the school, given the Academy conversion happening in September.

So no hopes there either.

I'd be going through every Education legal documents with a fine tooth comb...finding as many references to legal statues, excellence, every standard, (GIRFEC (getting it right for every child) tho this may be Scottish law)....making up my question's and making your issue's legally answerable iykwim....

It matters NOT that this HT has his own possible agenda...he has by law got to adhere to policies and what is written in law 9class sizes, support workers and providing that to pupils, spending budget and what percentage this school spend on it, etc etc)and can't be failing to do so....education has to be for every individual through the doors of every school....that school has to be proving to provide that....you need to find the shortfalls, corner cutting, ignorance and down falls and highlight them very strongly....

You would be best served to try and find an advocate/witness who has some legal/educational background to assist you...even from a distance/online/email or whatever if they can't be there in person with you.....

throwing facts and legalities and policies at them where you can apply questions about their practice is more than likely the only way to get results and be listened to....get them sitting up in their chairs and doing something to resolve issues....at the very least they would need to be advising the school of making appropriate changes, monitoring progress in doing so and fulfilling remit, policy and standards within the whole school....

Have you enlisted any other parents who feel there is a lack and have concerns too?...get a meeting organised...swap email addy's and conference with them...work together to address things...that would also add greater weight to the whole situation

Have you been in touch to see your GP with reference to referrals for reviews and assessments for your DC's....?

I would get a group together and see if you can have a meeting with your MP and get them on side.

I am bumping this do it doesn't fall off my Active Convo's before the end of the summer holidays.

I know that there is a group of parents that I can mobilise if this Governor's complaint doesn't change anything.

I haven't been to the GP's yet, as I am dealing with a far more serious issue with my DS1 currently (in a thread in Legal Matters), and that has has to take priority right now.

Bumping again in readiness of the return to school.

keeping your thread in my watch list...thinking of you xx