Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Flip

Original poster

Primary assessment

21 replies

moosesue · 27/07/2012 12:41

Hi all,

I have a 3 yr old due to be assessed by a local private school in oct and I'm already flapping. I'm worried because she's had glue ear (got grommets now but talking is still behind). I don't know if I should tell them or not? Other mums seem to think not as this might go against them taking her and it's extremely competitive to get into this school. I'm also worried that they'll miss that she can read anything, knows numbers well etc. she's done most of the year 1 stuff already. How do I highlight these things without looking like an obsessive parent? How worried should I be that the main things they test seem to be talking and listening?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

TroublesomeEx · 27/07/2012 14:40

What will they be looking for in the assessment?

If these are the things they are looking for, then why would they miss them?

They are experienced in assessing children and know what they are looking for.

If you're honestly telling us that your 3 year old has already covered the equivalent of the state year 1 curriculum then I can't imagine how they wouldn't spot this.

PatriciaHolm · 27/07/2012 14:49

If they don't want her because she had glue ear, you are well out of it!

Just let her be herself. They know what kind of child they want, and she either is or isn't it. It won't be just on whether she can do any reading etc, in fact it's probably more on is she polite, can she talk to a strange adult, etc.

Original poster

moosesue · 27/07/2012 15:31

The details I have (I'm going to ask about it more) is they'll ask her to draw and tell her a story and ask questions. Answering questions is difficult for her (common with speech delay) and so I'm wondering if I should mention the glue ear for that reason. Of course there's time for improvement but I'm sure there will still be talking problems. I just don't want them to sell her short because of it and if you didn't know the reason then you might think badly of it.

I'm taking the year 1 comment based on what our local state school said to me when I asked for advice from their nursery regarding the reading etc. I agree, in a 3 year old with typical speech it would be noticeable, but her development is not typical. Her dev is reviewed btw, the paediatricians say her talking development isnt usual, even with the glue ear. She knows a lot of words, it's forming them into sentences and conversation that she finds hard. This is why I'm very keen for her to go private. She really needs a small class and a teacher able to accommodate and handle the skew development. I don't think a state school class of 30 kids will do her any favours.

OP posts:

TroublesomeEx · 27/07/2012 15:59

I think I would tell them about the glue ear. It would explain her speech delay.

Tbh, Patricia is right. They will know what kind of child/family they are looking for and whether your daughter is it. The assessment will just be to make sure they haven't missed anything.

If they don't want to take a child with speech delay due to glue ear, then I wouldn't be happy sending her there anyway.

Is she getting speech therapy for help with her delay?

My concern would be that, unless they are experienced in it, that the teacher might not be any better equipped to deal with this than one in a state school. She might need to have more support than just smaller class sizes. And teacher's aren't experts in speech delay.

Rosebud05 · 27/07/2012 16:33

You definitely need to mention her glue ear - if you're even thinking of trying to cover that up, why on earth makes you think this school is going to provide the type of understanding, flexibility and support that a child with 'skewed' speech development is going to need?

There is no guarantee that the teacher will be any more equipped than those at your local state school to work with your particular child and her needs. The only way you'll find out if they're even up to considering this is to mention it very early on in the assessment.

Original poster

moosesue · 27/07/2012 16:43

Hi again.

I mean that because the classes are small the teachers have more ability to deal with it.

She is getting help with the delay, yes.

I think you're probably both right. I should try and not stress over it too! Sorry, been a bit of a bad day with talking today as she has a cold. Makes me worry!

OP posts:

Original poster

moosesue · 27/07/2012 16:52

Hi rosebud. I never intended to cover it up. I just don't really like the idea of making an 'excuse' for it. I'd much rather she got in without me saying anything than with. I would never send her there without discussing it properly with the school. What I was inarticulately getting at was whether its right to say anything at the assessment or not.

OP posts:

Rosebud05 · 27/07/2012 17:14

Yes, I see what you mean, but how will you know whether this is the right school for your child if you don't see how they respond to it?

Maybe try and re-think the assessment as two ways - it's not just about 'getting in' it's actually more about whether the school is suitable for you and your daughter.

Hope that she feels better soon.

Original poster

moosesue · 27/07/2012 18:23

Yes that's true. I guess for me it's important how they approach it at assessment and I can form an opinion about them too.

Thanks for the good wishes.

OP posts:

IndigoBell · 27/07/2012 19:13

You have to think way past the assessment.

Your DD has or may have SEN - You say her development is not typical and she is under a paed.

Not all private schools want kids with SEN. You need to talk to them about it.

If they get good results by not accepting any kids with SEN, they won't want your DD no matter how clever she is or how well she does on assessment day.

But what you really need to watch out for is them accepting her - and then kicking her out in a year or two if her SEN becomes more noticeable.

PasMoi · 27/07/2012 19:20

Hi - it's actually interesting that she can read fluently if she struggles with sentence formation. Does she understand the meaning well?

From friends who have been through the assessment route, it is hard to predict what they look for at 4 years old, so please don't take it personally and look at a school where entry is guaranteed as a plan B.

Original poster

moosesue · 28/07/2012 09:47

Hi, it's difficult to explain really. It's more accurate to say that she struggles with certain types of sentences. It's surprising how much you pick up from just listening and where she's been impaired bits are missing. It's unusual to read words you don't understand but she does. Her vocab is large though so its also hard to judge. E.g. She read 'fruit juices from concentrate' on her drink. She would understand fruit juices but I had to explain concentrate. Not the best example as concentrate isn't a word I'd expect a lot of 3 year olds to know but you get the gist....

You grow out of glue ear though and she should catch up so I don't think it's an ongoing problem for the school, just the assessment. I take your point though that some schools will want more typical development.

OP posts:

goGBTeacher · 28/07/2012 18:02

Yes fill them in on the glue ear and any other issues. They are not mindreaders.

acebaby · 28/07/2012 20:37

I agree that you should fill them in on this. If it comes to light afterwards (and it will when you fill in the medical forms) the school would probably be disappointed that you hadn't said anything. It would start you off on the wrong foot. Any school worth going to (let along paying for!) will not be put off by a speech delay caused by glue ear. It is incredibly common. There are two with this in my DS1's class alone (non-selective prep).

Your DD sounds lovely - and very advanced in reading compared to my DS2 (age 4). He can only read his name and loading (learnt through too much youtube! ) I hope everything goes well.

trinity0097 · 28/07/2012 20:42

I teach in a prep school and this sort of sen is a non issue for us, as long as you are upfront about it and willinging to listen to any advice about any additional support needed, e.g. Speech therapist.

gladders · 28/07/2012 21:04

I would definitely mention it - my dd had glue ear and was very well supported at a prep school. The liaised with her NHS speech therapist and worked with her and us on her speech.

A bit at the suggestion thata glue ear = SEN?

TroublesomeEx · 29/07/2012 07:35

Glue ear could present an Special 'Educational' Need if the little girl requires extra support in school, or the school has to liaise with external agencies.

An SEN is different to an SN.

IndigoBell · 29/07/2012 08:33

gladders - SEN means Special Educational Need.

So if a child needs to sit at the front of the class or facing the board that's a SEN.

Or if the teacher needs to be aware that the child might not understand what they're saying, that's a SEN.

Or if the child has a target to pronounce 'th' correctly, that's a SEN.

etc, etc, etc.

Approx 30% of kids in the state system have a SEN.

SEN does not have to be for life. It can be temporary.

If the glue ear clears up, and the unusual speech development resolves itself, and she is discharged from SALT and the paed, then she'd come off the SEN register.

Floggingmolly · 29/07/2012 19:30

In what context did your local state school tell you your dd has covered "most of Year 1 stuff already"? Has anyone from the school met or assessed your dd?

Original poster

moosesue · 29/07/2012 23:17

Hi, yes they've met her. What I was trying to get across was that I don't want to make excuses for her but I also don't want anyone to sell her short either. The (ok, flippant) comment was intended to sum up the impression I have based on what the school said (without formal assessment). I meant to convey that she's worth looking at but the glue ear means it mightn't be the fairest way of assessing her. Not meaning to ruffle anyone's feathers, so apologies if I have.

Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated.

OP posts:

mumteacher · 09/08/2012 00:59

Such things should always be highlighted to the school and in writing. The school can then make an informed decision. They will understand the delayed speech is as a result of a short term medical problem. If they don't know they will just assume the child is not on par with her peers.

You don't want to regret it later by not telling them.

Flip