confused (too much so to think up an interesting title)

[MarmadukeScarlet]

My DD is in Yr 4 of a pushy prep school, she got 3's in her Yr 2 SATs - although how she got that for Maths I'll never know! She is a daydreamy child who is bright but not at all competitive.

She was identified in preprep as having a few organisational/concentrating issues and took part in gym for learning/mind gym.

When she moved up to Y3 the amount of work gets really tough and they have to move from class to class and remember their stuff. This proved v difficult for DD, I got cross with the lack of support/leaving her to get on with it attitude.

I took her to an OT and Ed Psych - both said she has properception issues, balance problems, low muscle tone, writes slowly, has features of both dyspraxia and dyslexia etc.

School didn't really raise their game, although did start sending her to weekly sessions with the SENCO (which I pay extra for) doing rush hour and other games which she loved.

SENCo left, position has been taken by a parent (shcool have a habit of emplying parents with little or no experience/unqualified teachers) who seems to me to well...

Just before parents evening DD told me that instead of playing games/word shark/number shark she is now doing English Comprehension texts, english spoken practice and extra maths work. I asked the SENCo re this in my alloted 7 minutes she said DD's maths teacher had asked her to do extra maths and head had asked for spoken English. Senco has never heard of rushhour or any of the other games DD used to play - surely someone with qualifications/experience of helping a dyslexic would have done?

So, I am cross and confused.

If my DD needs extra maths help surely I should have been told. She used to be top of year for English composition and got a distinction at ESB (spoken English comp) last year so how could she need extra help in these areas. Am I correct to doubt this SENCO suitability on the basis that she has no experience of some very common SN tools?

I have a habit of being a little irrational emotional with things like this, so if you are still reading what should I do? I
think write email to teacher, head and senco outlining my concerns, but how without sounding accusatory?

[MarmadukeScarlet]

I know it is a long boring story, but heelp

[sunnygirl1412]

This sounds like such a frustrating situation - you have my sympathy, Marmaduke, even though I'm not sure how much practical help I can be.

Instead of writing to the school, could you perhaps request a meeting with the SENCO and your dd's class teacher, to talk out these issues. Write down what's worrying you, so that you don't get sidetracked by them.

I hope that you can work this out - hugs!

[MarmadukeScarlet]

Thank you, it is a relief to get a reply!

It is frustrating, I feel like I am failing her - well someone along the line is.

[cupsoftea]

Agree with a meeting - you're paying for the school so should be informed of anything to do with your dd school programme. (should in state sector as well though!)

[MarmadukeScarlet]

Thank you. Cups, it seems that being in the private sector you have less control over what goes on, with the subliminal message that if you don't like it you can take your child to a different school.

I just cannot understand how/why they would give her extra maths tuition without telling me?

I am not 'overinvolved' (perhaps I am?), but as a Parent Rep lobbied in Reception to get morning snack changed from biscuits (which my DD didn't like)to fruit - the school said there wasn't ime for the children to eat fruit and they had couldn't prepare it or clear up after it. They now have fruit.

Also for better school lunches - cannot take packed and they standard was miserable, no choices like in some school, just one meal if you didn't like it tough - including the recent inclusion of jacket spuds on the daily menu to offer some choice.

Perhaps I should have kept my powder dry for things that really matter as I now feel the head might sigh when I ask for a meeting.

[cupsoftea]

Sounds like they should have told you. Also they are going to run into trouble with their attitude - you can put your kids at another school but they should be doing all they can to keep you paying at their school iyswim. Hope you get it sorted xxx

[MadamePlatypus]

Does sound a bit odd. If you are paying for a "Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator" that is what you should be getting. Particularly as, presumably, if you weren't paying the school you could be paying for qualified help outside the school. I don't think it would do any harm to ask the head what the Senco's qualifications are if you are concerned. You could always phrase it as "What is her experience re: dyslexia/dyspraxia" rather than suggesting out right that she is not qualified.

[MarmadukeScarlet]

Yes, that would be more a tactful way of getting the answer. I'm afraid I'm not a very political animal and often am rather straight speaking for the comfort of others. (Is that longhand for I'm direct and get their backs up?)