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

1 2 3 4 5 6 ··· 10 11

Original poster

My child being placed with immediate effect on Reduced Timetable (Reception)

261 replies

breakingdads · 07/03/2023 15:01

Hi,

Would like anyone who has experience with primary / reception education to help if possible. My child is in reception (he is the youngest in the year - in fact, born 2 days later would probably be starting this coming September). He has been in nursery and pre-school care full time since 2 without any problems, in fact glowing reports which eased my worries of him entering reception this past September. However in the last 3 months, apparantly, he has started to have some problems in class, with concentration, being tired, territorial etc which have resulted in some aggressive acts - hitting out. I have had this flagged up twice, but the school have said they have been able to deal with it. However last week, we got a call to say that he had injured a teacher and for this reason, he will be put on a reduced timetable with immediate effect. Obviously this has had a major impact on how we manage things with him not being in class at all now 5 mornings a week. Since it has happened I have found out that the incident seemed more accidental than premeditated (he had fallen asleep and the teacher had woke him up, which startled him and he jumped off the chair indavertently onto her hand which was on the floor). Now in the conversations I initially had, I was in absolute shock as I was being told "my child had broken a staff members arm) so was apologising profusely, to the point that I was just agreeing to everything they said. However as the matters sinks in, I am starting to wonder if the way they have acted is a)lawful b)ethical and c) in the best interest of my child. At this point in time, I have had no written information about his behaviour in class which has resulted in this reduced timetable, I have had no information on what they plan to do going forward, no plan etc I have signed nothing saying that my child can go to a reduced timetable. Literally just been told he can't come in anymore in the mornings - deal with it. I've just accepted things and muddled my way through this week. Obviously a solution could be that we have to continue with the reduced timetable and look at deferring him till this coming September. However all feedback received from the reception teacher is that he is managing his school work well, its just that he is not coping emotionally with the reception class. I've been told that with a class of 30 he can't expect to get any personal treatment, but the more I am reading about this - it seems there is an obligation for the school to look at every possible way of keeping a child in class and integrating them which doesn't seem to have happened. His behaviour with me is absolutely spot on so I am also trying to work out what is triggering his so called behaviour in class ( which again seems to be unrecorded and anecdotal at best ). If anyone has any constructive advice it would be much appreciated, as I feel I have agreed to something under "the fog" of being made to feel guilty on something that myself and child shouldnt really have been made to feel guilty of. Muddling through this week, but very difficult when full time working at the same time. My child hasn't got a clue what is happening, just keeps on asking when they can go back into school. Thanks again.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

GMITUSDEURO · 07/03/2023 15:05

Change the school, they don't sound very supportive.

Boomboom22 · 07/03/2023 15:07

Change schools if you can. Very annoying but they obviously can't or won't do things properly.

whathaveidonetomydc · 07/03/2023 15:08

I'd change school too OP. They have made it clear they don't want him there. Unless there is a big back story you are omitting or turning a blind eye to, then it sounds as if they are putting him on this reduced timetable at the earliest opportunity, which doesn't sound reasonable. If you have a SEN advocacy group in your area speak to them to see what the standard protocols should be.

Bubbleswithsqueak · 07/03/2023 15:11

This is an illegal exclusion. If they are excluding your child from the school (which they are!) they should have followed the school's exclusion policy. This should be on their website (probably called a behaviour policy).
They are absolutely not allowed to do this. Unfortunately they have now shown you who they are, and if it was me I wouldn't want my child to go back there...
Good info here

Iusethem · 07/03/2023 15:11

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Mamoun · 07/03/2023 15:11

My daughter is also born in late August and she's in Reception too.
I can't see her falling asleep at school. Does he go to sleep late ? Does he nap at weekends? Are you 100% sure his health in ok?
Maybe change school and get him to start reception next Sept?

Shinyandnew1 · 07/03/2023 15:13

Has your child broken the teachers arm-sorry, I can’t work out if that’s what’s happened?

I would ask if you can have a meeting with the school to discuss this further. Part time timetables are not uncommon with pupils, but should be time-limited. Is your child on the SEN register-are targets in place?

LakeTiticaca · 07/03/2023 15:14

How would a five year old child be capable of breaking an adults arm?

Original poster

breakingdads · 07/03/2023 15:15

Not a huge back story, in fact I am asking the school for written documentation / notes on his behavior and what has happened in the past - but all they have said is anecdotal stuff about him not listening or certain incidents of him pushing - but nothing quantified or anything. No incidents at either nursery or pre-school either. Like I say his behaviour with me is absolutely fine. Obviously don't want him a classroom if he is causing huge issues as that is not fair on anyone, just wondering if the way the school is handling this is a) shoddy at best b) legal. Who knows.

OP posts:

Random789 · 07/03/2023 15:18

Are they clear about the reason for the reduced timetable? I mean, is it because he caused an injury and they feel that he has behavioural problems that they can't manage, or is it simply because, in their judgement, he is just not ready for fulltime school?

If it is the former, then I guess I might feel that they were under an obligation to provide whatever support he needs to continue in class. But it seems more likely that it is the latter - he just isn't ready for school, and forcing him into the whole day is damaging for him. If that is the case, then despite how difficult it will be to rearrange work etc to accommodate him being at school only part-time, this is what you must do.
In the UK we start children in school so young at the best of times, let alone with an August birthday, and it would be awful to continue wit someting that isn't working for him.

WhatHappenedToYoyos · 07/03/2023 15:19

Complete a subject access request to get everything they have with his name to it.

Call the local authority education team to explain your case.

Contact the headteacher and say you don't agree with the part time timetable. Either the behaviour is worthy of a fixed term exclusion, in which case you can see any evidence and reports in the subject access request, or it isn't and he goes full time.

Then contact the school SENDCo who should be fully involved based on what the points are in your OP.

Original poster

breakingdads · 07/03/2023 15:19

LakeTiticaca · 07/03/2023 15:14

How would a five year old child be capable of breaking an adults arm?

I got told teacher had been sent to hospital with a suspected broken arm. Obviously hearing that and the tone it was said in, I was mortified and started apologizing. However, teacher was back in following day and seems to have downplayed it this week - like I say the story has come out now that he was woke up, jumped up of his chair and indavertantly stood on her. Feel like i've agreed to stuff when being made to feel guilty which is making me fairly worried

OP posts:

Eyerollcentral · 07/03/2023 15:19

Why is he so tired? What time does he go to sleep?

underneaththeash · 07/03/2023 15:20

I think it sounds like he's just not emotionally ready for school yet (even if he is academically). I don't know if you can withdraw him and re-start in reception next year - you'd need to ask the LEA.

If you do stick with part-time, surely though, he's better going in in the morning when he's less tired and coming home in the afternoon (if you agree).

Eyerollcentral · 07/03/2023 15:21

Also seems odd to jump off a seat on being woken up. Why was he sleeping at his desk?

Original poster

breakingdads · 07/03/2023 15:21

Eyerollcentral · 07/03/2023 15:19

Why is he so tired? What time does he go to sleep?

He goes to bed at 7.30 to 8. The tale of him being asleep in class is the first time I have been made aware of it, but they said this has happened alot - again, never mentioned before

OP posts:

olivehater · 07/03/2023 15:22

My June boy was falling asleep regularly until recently. It isn’t that unusual. Prior to starting school he was used to a big 1-2 hour nap in the middle of the day. They would just let him sleep thought. They sound awful to be honest.

DoubleShotEspresso · 07/03/2023 15:22

This is unlawful off-rolling and exclusionary/discriminatory conduct from the school.
I suggest making contact with your local SENDIASS team, heavily challenging and yes seeking an alternative setting.
Been here and got the T-shirt, it's an awful process - I hope you're okay OP .

littleducks · 07/03/2023 15:22

It's an illegal exclusion, you need to get this in writing. It may be your child has additional needs that need supporting and you will need the paperwork later on. Email the school and say something like following our discussion on X had been on a reduced timetable since X please can we have confirmation of the plan for when the reduced timetable will alter. You may find having something on writing changes things.

Just moving schools will be unlikely to help, you may find other schools won't accept as they will believe your child has needs they can't meet(which may or may not be accurate)

Acting in best interests of your child doesn't mean that you don't feel awful the poor teacher was injured or condone any behaviour that is unacceptable bit like you said if you don't really know what is happening very hard to work on

Eyerollcentral · 07/03/2023 15:23

Is he going to sleep when he goes to bed or is he playing in his bedroom? They should have brought the falling asleep at his desk to your attention earlier but he is 6 months in to reception so seems odd for him to be this tired at this juncture? Do you have a new routine?

Oblomov23 · 07/03/2023 15:23

I'd probably change school. But in the meantime I'd arrange an urgent meeting with head. First Ask for a detailed record of the incident asap so you are prepared for said meeting. I'd tell her what you've told us, and ask /politely but firmly that he's reinstated with immediate effect.

Original poster

breakingdads · 07/03/2023 15:23

Eyerollcentral · 07/03/2023 15:21

Also seems odd to jump off a seat on being woken up. Why was he sleeping at his desk?

The teacher has now said he was startled when he was woke up, so I guess he was coming round etc how long he was asleep is anyones guess - as the teacher said they went over there to wake hime when they spotted him. This is a reception class.

OP posts:

SparkleSpangle · 07/03/2023 15:24

He is not of compulsory school age yet so I don't think they are obligated to provide full time education.

Maybe withdraw him and start reception again in September.

Original poster

breakingdads · 07/03/2023 15:27

Eyerollcentral · 07/03/2023 15:23

Yes, he gets to sleep fairly quickly after his bedtime stories, no playing around - so would say he is fast asleep by 8 - 8.15. There was mentions that he is getting over stimulated in the classroom, and this is draining him - which has been bandied about this week as a potential reason why he has fallen asleep. But who knows?

OP posts:

NowAAT · 07/03/2023 15:29

Poor little lad. I feel so sorry for him. He's probably so confused as to why he cant go full time anymore :(

OP I'd withdraw him, I feel like its a form of punishment if anything. It's not uncommon for kids that age to fall asleep in reception even if they had a full nights rest. I don't feel like the school has dealt with this in the right way.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 ··· 10 11