Permission for an External Eductional Assessment

[mummytippy]

Dear Mumsnetters

Does anyone know if there's a national policy relating to automatically allowing permission for a child to be absent from school to attend an external educational assessment?... Or is it at the discretion of the Head?

My DS is due to have a progress assessment with the Dyslexia Institute whom he's been monitored and assessed by prior to starting his current school over the lays 18 months.

The assessment will mean he would have to leave school mid morning over the lunch hour and returned back to school immediately afterwards - hopefully by 2pm.

Thank you in advance.

The head really won't want to be involved and certainly won't thank you for dragging them into this

My DS was assessed for Dyslexia in 2013 and it was inconclusive. He was 7. I was his primary carer at this point. Shortly afterwards my ex was then awarded residence and as part of the ongoing custody battle he feels my son has progressed massively just by a change in school and therefore does not want the progress assessment (this is my view) because the result could potentially derail his claims of how brilliant the school is.

My DS was immediately given a SEN at his new school but I have not seen any evidence of the assessments they have done despite asking. The findings from 2013's Dyslexia assessment report were passed to the new school to aid with his transistion. He had an IEP in place at his old school too which I worked on daily with him and tirelessly.

My son reverses letters/numbers and is poor at spelling. This was identified by the DI but he wasn't formally diagnosed by them or by the school or LA.

He also suffers from short term memory and storing and processing auditory information. He failed the 'button' test too with a bilateral integration specialist.

My son is a good reader so it is doubtful he is Dyslexic but the Dyslexia Institute are I a position to diagnose what it is. There's a feeling he could have dyscalculia or mild dysgraphia.

Because the change of school came as a result of my DS's change in residence the results from the DI and his past IEPs which I passed to the school proved to be invaluable to them (they actually waited for further results at one point). This why I don't trust the letter where he claims the Head is saying further assessments are unnecessary.

At the end of the day so far all I have done is inform each one (my ex and the school) of the assessment. I understand it's would be clearer for me just to be given permission by my ex and then go to the Head but believe me that is a big ask and was not ever going to happen. That's why I originally tried to get the assessment for a time in my contact.

Can I just clarify it is my ex who has involved the Head within a letter to me and I'm just wanting to do the right thing by my son.

Surely I need to inform the Head of the letter I've received relating to the assessment as they're quoted in it?

Wouldn't it be simpler to postpone the assessment for a couple of weeks and do it during the holidays?

What do you mean by "given a SEN"?

You really need to go back to court. What a daft situation.

Hi icimoi

The centre closes on Tuesday for the summer holidays until September.
My DS has a Special Educational Need profile at school.

Hi SallyHasLeftTheBuilding

We are due back at Court in August as I am hoping to reverse things back.
I just want to be able to support my DS educationally as I did before.
I have felt for a while my DS has been inadequately supported by the school and in my view external additional help can only be beneficial?
The findings from the assessment on Tuesday would possibly be helpful in my case and this is why I feel it's being opposed by my ex via his solicitor.
I am not happy my DS has recently been assessed on the National Framework Strategy and scored a High 2... When he is a Year 4 pupil.

To receive a solicitors letter the day before an assessment when my ex was notified over a week beforehand is unfair to me and the centre's assessor in my view. It leaves no time to attempt to rearrange... Perhaps his objective.

I still feel I need to ask the head what if anything has been discussed? (as I'm certain he'll have contacted them). I just know this solicitors letter (with the heads alleged viewpoint) will turn up in the Courtroom.

And what if the head has said the assessment is unnecessary? What will you do?

This is coming across as a disputes between you and your ex the school won't get involved.

Hi Mrz

Well firstly if that is the case I would like to ask why that information has not been relayed directly to me.

As far as I am concerned it is the Contact Order which is an obstacle it does not mean I can or should be excluded from viewpoints.

If the head does have this view point surely it should be communicated to me directly and not second hand through a solicitors letter from my ex.

Don't you agree?

So there are two issues here:

1. Can your DS attend the appointment?
2. Is your ExH acting in best interests of your DS.

In terms of 1, it doesn't matter what the HT thinks or said, your ExH holds the power.

In terms of 2, you think your ExH is intent on using the view of the HT to hours advantage at court in August.

I can see your dilemma but agree with Mrz. The HT could have personally offered to drive your DS there herself, so important was this appointment, it would still be up to your ExH whether he went. She can't change that.

I can't see the harm in asking the HT to clarify their stance on 'why they deem it unnecessary' given your received letter, but it wouldn't be reasonable to ask them to contradict the assertion in the letter. If you phrase it as a question of why it would be unauthorised rather than bringing in the issues with your ExH, then you may get the evidence you need without putting the HT in an awkward position.

If the head has expressed an opinion to one side, then I`m afraid shes got herself involved, if her opinion matters, and it does as an educator, then she needs to step up and explain. OP asked for time off not an opinion -

Well to be fair, the OP doesn't know that the HT has expressed that opinion. It could be fabrication, exaggeration or misunderstanding by the ExH.

Hence the IF.

I was of the impression a school cannot stop a parent with pr taking the child from school unless a court order specified that they weren't allowed unsupervised contact. However, things might have changed. Is it worth the conflict, op? Could your ex use this situation in court and depict you as awkward or unreasonable? Is it something g you can get raise in court and get ex to agree to in the new term?

Thank you all

I sent an email to the Head asking for clarity and they telephoned me.
The school's stance is they do not obstruct assessments or have opinions on such assessments either. It is up to parents should they wish to take their children to any kind of assessment.

A conversation was confirmed with my ex confirming all of the above so I was told by the head to go back to my ex and ask for his permission again as it is that which is required from the school's safeguarding point if view (so they are covered should I not return my DS).

Just goes to show that the solicitor had put untruths in his letter to me.
Not trying to intimidate me at all? When all I want to do is take my DS for an assessment with his best interests at heart and can well do without fabrication.

I got the impression that the head was extremely displeased about this as I explained their 'view' had been his reason for not allowing me to collect my DS for the assessment.

It really should not be such a struggle, I'm just trying to support my child.

Send an email to the head confirming your conversation. Just about the school's stance on such assessments not about requiring his permission. The court might regard it as him not acting in the best interests of your child if the assessment has been recommended.

Definitely send an email detailing your conversation with the HT and what was discussed. This is to put something in writing to the HT and shows a court written evidence of a conversation. I would also add a line at the bottom a long the lines of saying to dispute the contents of the email within a certain amount of days if the HT believes you have got the wrong end of the stick about the contents of the conversation you had with him/her. Iyswim.

Just a point to mention about dyslexia, just because someone can read does not rule out dylexia. Dd can read and her handwriting is beautiful but if you ask her what she read then it becomes a little blurry in her mind and her essays are virtually unreadable as every word is spelled wrong.

Whilst on the surface your ds might be making progress as he moves throu the school years, if he is high functioning as a dyslexic at some point it will all get too much for him or he will be working 10x as hard as everyone else in his class to produce average to poor work.

Problem is here is what it comes across as you and exh both trying to prove each other is wrong. I'm not saying that is your motivation, but I think it is certainly possible that is what a court might see.
Is your thought if you can prove the school isn't as good as ex says it is then the way is paved for you to get custody?

The school's stance is they do not obstruct assessments or have opinions on such assessments either. It is up to parents should they wish to take their children to any kind of assessment

Now this sounds to me like total fence sitting. The sort of thing politicians say when they're not wishing to commit themselves to one side or another.
It's basically saying that if parents want to have their child assessed for anything they're welcome to, not that they agree with it.

From that it is certainly possible that your ex said "Will you be doing further assessment on dc?" and the school replied "No, we don't think it's necessary."
Both the school and your ex would be both telling the truth there. The school has said THEY think further assessments unnecessary, however if YOU want to do them that's fine.

If school say that they think there's further issues with your ds and the assessment is a good idea, then you've got something to show. However that statement seems just as much about saying to you that they won't say they approve of the assessment, as much as they won't tell your ex it is unnecessary.

Sorry, this isn't what you want to hear, but I'm just trying to put it as it might look to an outsider (ie the court)

Thank you Titchy and OliversMumsArmy

I will send an email to the head asking to confirm we have had a conversation and to clarify the schools stance on assessments. I think the disclaimer line is a good idea as I think they'd prefer to fence sit so that will help confirm the answer.

It is an absolute nightmare trying to negotiate anything with my DS's father.
I really do not understand why he is so obstructive and then also goes to the lengths of putting words in a professionals mouth which are untrue.

Thanks for your comment on Dyslexia OliversMumsArmy

and for sharing your experience of your DD.
The gap is widening for my DS. I can see it. This is my other dilemma in that I'm not entirely happy that the school have been giving adequate support to him. As I said lower down in the thread I used to be able to do work on his IEP etc and do hand writing practice on a daily basis which I can't now due to the change in residence and current contact order.

Although the school gave him an SEN profile last Oct there was a staff change with the SENCo (who left) and new one started in place. I've never had it explained to me what assessments the school have actually carried out and when. I only know they're not qualified to diagnose Dyslexia. I have asked questions about various things from confirmation of his current reading level, a writing assessment result (although I know that now because I found it stuck in my DS's literacy book) and I asked to be sent a copy of a letter concerning a loiterer at the school gates (which I did not get) but have not had any of these questions answered (all sent in separate emails direct to the head over the last 3 months). As school breaks up this Friday - I'm running out of time.

As stupid as this might sound I feel really awkward about venting my frustrations. But need to say something as I do want the answers and the Judge will ask why I haven't said anything or chased at least? I've been cautious as if residence doesn't change I don't want an awkward relationship with the school as my DS spends the best part of his days there.

Ideas on how to handle this matter diplomatically too would be helpful if you don't mind.

Going back to my original post, I think I am going to simply email my ex (not contact his solicitor) and ask he gives me permission for tomorrow. Your thoughts and ideas on this would be very welcome. It should not be this hard should it?

Hi Deewe

I was typing my message as you replied...
The assessment with the DI is to genuinely determine my DS's progress as I've had conflicting comments from his class teachers. I want a true indication of where my DS is and I want everyone to work together... school, the DI, myself and my ex.

My ex has also obstructed medical and dental appointments for my DS too He made false claims here too incorrectly quoting professionals. This is the main reason I have gone back to the Court. My son ended up in pain.

I am deeply concerned my DS is under achieving due to the written assessment result on the old levels (Year 4 child) scoring a High 2? So yes, if it is evident the school is failing my son I will bring this into my case.

mummy I think perhaps I came over wrongly in what I wrote.

I don't doubt that your are worried, and yes, I would be too. 2a in year 4 is low (I assume that's what he got). I think they're meant to go up 1 full level in 2 years which would put him at a 3a in year 6 which is a cause for concern. Not distressingly low, but certainly low enough that they should be looking for ways to help him.

What I was trying to say is that how you have written a lot of the stuff here comes across as trying to prove your ex wrong.

That doesn't mean that is what your actual goal is. But if that is how it is coming across to the school and to the court then you will lose credibility in their eyes.

What I would do is email your ex, cc the school in. You're ccing the school officially (you can say that in the email) so it is easy for him to respond to both of you at the same time. Unofficially it is so the school can see you are trying, and your ex knows you are leaving a trail so he can't pretend it hasn't happened.

Stress how important the appointment is, get down your concerns on his levels, and if relevant his lack (or whatever) of progress. Request the appointment in your ds' interest, making it clear he will be back in time for your ex to pick him up.
If you can sort it (not sure how you do it) but see if you can get it set up to respond when the email is read.

Then get on the phone to the appointments centre and ask for any chance of moving it to a time you have ds. Cancellations, slipping one in, again go for how urgent it is that he is assessed before the next school year.Then also send them an email afterwards stating that you have asked for a cancellation at a time you can do. You then have that to show that you have tried to. USe expressions: "As spoken on the phone I am writing to confirm that I am available at the following times for cancellations. My mobile is XXX" type of letter.

Personally I would be dealing with your exhs solicitor also. I would send a copy of the email about the conversation you had with the HT to the solicitor confirming that the HT has no obstructions with allowing the time off to take the assessment.
Let the solicitor start questioning your ex as to what evidence he has before he starts firing off letters to you on just word of mouth from your exh.

On a more personal note with regard to schools and dyslexia start looking for a brick wall so as to knock your head against. Dd was flagged as probably having dyslexia in Yr 2 but a wait and see policy was put in place. After many years of jumping up and down and many many phone calls Dd was tested by an Ed Psych in Yr 9. I could spend whole days on the phone being passed from pillar to post given different numbers to ring then several hours later you are told that the dept/place/office you have rung does not do what you want you have to call a phone number which was the first number you called in the morning.

Hi Deewe and OliversMumsArmy

Sorry for my delay in coming back, thank you for your advice.

I understand what your are saying about tone and I do try to come across as neutral and factual with my son's best interests at heart. I admit that does become difficult when you're emotionally attached!

I had already contacted my ex again before I read your messages.

I emailed my ex and asked him to reconsider.
I then emailed the head and thanked them for their phone call and conversation confirming the school's stance and clarification on assessments (so that is something). I then informed them I'd asked my ex again.

I then had a reply from my ex which again was a no and he added as per his reasons in his solicitors letter.

I then contacted the centre and after the assessor there kindly coming in during the holidays I have been offered another appointment which will be before the Court hearing.

I'm now in receipt of my DS's school report and it does not detail progress at all. It is very ambiguous in my view and there is no mention of the writing assessment result so I still have not 'officially' been told this.
AIBU? surely I should know my DS's levels?

I understand exactly how you feel OliversMum...
You do feel like you're banging you're head on a brick wall.

As for contacting his solicitor too, I haven't as yet as I'm seeking legal advice. It is not the first time this has happened. His solicitor was heavily criticised at a hearing last year.

Going back to confirmation on the school's stance on external assessments, I am going to email the head separately and ask if the school has a policy document confirming this.

There aren't any levels to report as they were scrapped in September, when the new curriculum was introduced, and not replaced. This means the school is free to use any measure they wish.

Can I suggest you are exceptionally carefully.

School cannot stop you turning up to school and exercising your parental right to remove the child from school. However....

Your ex can block you getting assessments. Or at least put it this way, he can use you're going against his wishes to right conditions into the contact order that limit your ability to exercise parental authority IF the court feels it is in the best interests of the child to do so.

SO if your ex were to say that:
you cannot accept the change of school as part of the change of residency and you are looking to subject your child to the trauma of unnecessary testing. It is not in the child's best interest to undergo unnecessary testing school say he is making adequate progress (shows report).

If i were you I would get your facts very straight now. Stop involving the school they cannot take sides. Pull together any school reports or independent reports that show progress, fine tooth comb them to see if there is anything you can use. Postpone the assessment until after the family court hearing and get it written as part of the ruling that the assessment can be done.

Lesson learnt. Don't book anything controversial for outside of your period of residency.