DD1 falling behind in state - private an option??? (Long sorry!)

[time4chocolate]

Hello not a regular poster but have posted previously about DS and school/ASD.

To try and keep it brief DD state primary year 5 has slowly been falling further and further behind (summer baby, but not sure if that is relevant or not). We were advised by school some time ago that she was receiving extra help with Maths and we have been helping her with this. However, was asked to a meeting yesterday and it would appear is behind in all areas (not showing any signs of any SEN which the school can pinpoint and she has never given me any cause for particular concern, apart from Maths, I always thought she was a pretty average learner).

I have a slightly awkward relationship with the School as we came to blows over the lack of help given to my son who has SEN and we subsequently moved him 3 years ago.

I am not confident she will get the help that she needs to be able to make any inroads in the gap before she starts secondary school. I have rang and spoken to LEA/other schools in Area and they have no spaces to enter in year 5.

I really don't want to move her this far up the primary school but am now desperate to do something to help and the only other option would be a fee paying school which we could just about manage financially but only for prep. The idea being that it would give her the best chance to bridge the gap in her learning to bring her up to National levels?

Has anyone moved their DC into fee paying school in year 5 for these reasons and did they benefit from this?

Assuming that your DD would fit the criteria for an independent school in your area, I would question whether the financial sacrifice was worth it as you are only able to do this for Y5/6; I'm just not sure that the educational gains would be worth the upheaval and financials struggle iyswim.

Personally I would be doorstepping the current school to get her some support and/or finding a private tutor if funds allowed.

I think I would be looking at tutoring support options first, personally.

Not the same situation, but dd1 was panicking over maths in Y3, so she has had two terms of tutoring - it has made a world of difference. She's now doing really well and, more importantly IMO, much more confident about it.

Tutoring can work if you find a good one. Alternatively private school may work BUT you would have to be very upfront about what you expected your child to achieve and where she is struggling. FWIW I moved my dd from state to private in year 5 and she absolutely flew, mainly because her confidence grew hugely in the first term, she loved the school and worked really hard. We didn't have to help her at all at home either.

My daughter was in a smilar position in year 6 [new to the school and new to the uk syllabus].She had tuition in maths [and later english] and ended up getting 5c in her sats[was estimated 4c].Surely if your daughter is happy at the school it would be a bad idea to move her?Speak to the teachers and see if they know anyone who can help.

If you were considering an independent school at secondary level then moving her a year early may be a good option.
However it isn't really worth doing this for such a short period of time so if she is happy would keep her where she is and perhaps arrange some extra tuition. Sometimes children do improve a lot between Y5 and Y6. Some schools provide extra support for some pupils so that they achieve their target SATs grade in Y6 so perhaps your dd will be receiving more support in Y6.

I must point out that some, not all, independent schools do charge extra for help with certain SEN's and/or 1-2-1 tuition, so you need to ask about that if you pursue the independent option.

Evening All - day went a bit pear shaped so have only just been able to log back on. Thank you for your replies and I have taken on board everything that has been said. I think plan of action is to take a breath, get a proper picture of exactly what her issues are and not to do anything hasty which may prove counter-productive. Thanks again.