Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Primary education

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

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?
Agapornis · 16/03/2023 22:07

If you don't get anywhere tomorrow, do consider skipping any sort of school complaint policy, and complaining straight to DfE. A gov website says
'Complain to DfE
You need to complete the school’s complaints procedure before you complain to DfE, unless one of the following applies:
a child is not getting an education
a child has been exposed to harm
the school is stopping you from following its complaints procedure'

NCTDN · 16/03/2023 22:09

Good point aga
My issue is that even of things in the school are resolved, I'm not convinced I'd want my child going there now.

NumberTheory · 17/03/2023 01:07

While I (unnecessarily, I think!) urge you to keep an open mind for your DC's sake, I also think it's important not to be railroaded down the autism route. They need to evidence their concerns and take on board the lack of issues at home.

Loveacardigan · 17/03/2023 06:56

If it’s at all possible, definitely take someone else with you to the meeting. It is very easy to get bamboozled!

user567543 · 17/03/2023 09:16

I don’t see the harm in autism referrals - there is significant parental feedback in those where you can say you see no signs of etc etc.p

NumberTheory · 17/03/2023 16:22

user567543 · 17/03/2023 09:16

I don’t see the harm in autism referrals - there is significant parental feedback in those where you can say you see no signs of etc etc.p

The issue would only be if they have little real evidence themselves and are focusing on that and ignoring what the child is actually signaling.

I think that’s a possibility because they haven’t mentioned anything to OP until now, they appear to have no documentation and the issue that seems to have sparked action - child being woken and jumping in shock causing injury to the teacher - seems to be nothing whatsoever to do with autism. The school’s actions so far do not give confidence that they would recognise what are signs of autism versus anything else or respond appropriately.

A referral process is very useful if there are actually signs, but if there aren’t then it is a costly exercise that will focus everyone’s expectations on DC having autism and almost certainly lead to any needs the DC has at school not being addressed outside that paradigm.

user567543 · 17/03/2023 16:24

I suppose I have some faith the professionals will be able to tell - I agree with you about the school!

NumberTheory · 17/03/2023 17:21

user567543 · 17/03/2023 16:24

I suppose I have some faith the professionals will be able to tell - I agree with you about the school!

Yes! It’s not the assessment process I don’t have faith in, though I know some parents still find it frustrating. It’s whether the school pursue that without good cause and in doing so miss what they ought to be doing.

OP I do hope you have at least got some clarity and the beginnings of a plan you have some faith in.

Iyjd · 17/03/2023 18:13

How come there is so long between the meetings?

At this point I would look to move him schools. You absolutely shouldn’t have to and I think their behaviour is disgusting (I’m a teacher and couldn’t imagine doing such a poor job). He has years left though and they aren’t giving him the education he deserves due to what sounds like laziness and being inept. All of your concerns are correct and valid but I would be worried they now see you as “that mum” rather than recognising they’ve fucked up and it would always be in my mind that they want to fob you off because you kick up a fuss instead of seeing that your child is important. Unfortunately some schools are brilliant for high achievers and under the radar kids but lose their shit when a child needs something extra and they slip through the net or push them through it. No way should he be out of the classroom for 50% of the time and you not know about it. I sent a student out for 6 minutes to calm down today and called his mum to inform her, they are suggesting yours is there for 2 and a half hours? What else have they tried?

NCTDN · 19/03/2023 08:58

Op how did the meeting go?

Supergirl1958 · 29/03/2023 21:00

@breakingdads how have you got on?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread