Not settled into new school

[JustJadeEagle]

We relocated and started a new prep school in Sept (yr4). DS had great taster days, but since starting has not settled. He finds it difficult to go in, doesn’t really engage in lessons, doesn’t always stay a full day, but enjoys the social side and has made friends.

He is dyslexic and lots of interventions are in place. School has been very accommodating. However, something seems to have happened in the first week to really unsettle him, he’s almost in flight mode all the time, but is a willing and eager learner with his 1:1 tutor outside of school who we’ve started to help him not fall too far behind. He is currently working at yr2 reading and yr1 writing level, on track for other subjects.

If anyone has experienced similar, any advice on whether to keep going and hope he settles, or to look for an alternative. There are good state schools around us, no other prep options. Thanks

Can you explain more about him not engaging in lessons and what you mean by not staying a full day. Also, what was he like at his old school and why did you move him?

He was absolutely fine at his old school - much bigger traditional prep. We moved for work, 2 hours away so had to leave school and his football team. This school is smaller, class size is larger and higher level of needs in children.

He often asks to come home during the day. He won’t often participate in lessons and will completely shutdown when dysregulated. Whilst diagnosed dyslexic, no other ND diagnosis.

It sounds like the new school is not recognising his needs yet and are therefore not supporting him enough.
This can be normal when moving to a new school, especially when a child has some additional needs.
My advice is to arrange a meeting with the class teacher and potentially SENDCo. You need to explain fully what support he had in his previous school and what he needs. If his class is larger he may be getting lost. You also need to tell them that he can’t just decide to come home during the day. This can’t be an option and honestly I’m surprised they allow it. He may need some brain breaks if the day is too much however.