Great wise MNers, what are the REAL pitfalls of year 7 - for a (PFB) child with AS?

[MrsS3]

We're doing the obvious stuff, uniform (done) numerous visits done and ongoing, form / tutor group with a few familiar faces (done) and photos of the teachers he'll need to remember.
However, I can't help but feel that it's like buying a cot and a pram for a new baby before realising you've not got a clue how to deal with it in reality and the actual practicalities are a whole lot different. Possibly a rubbish analogy but it makes sense to me . I don't want to have got the kit and the book but entirely missed the bits that will really matter. Any tips?

[lirael]

And here! Setting across a number of subjects doesn't favour kids with 'uneven' ability profiles :(

[MrsShrek3]

Tw2k that sounds a much better idea. Wish they did it here!

[teacherwith2kids]

School DS has started at doesn't set, except in Maths, until Year 8, and not for many things even then.

Haven't set for Maths yet, either. Apparently they do a few weeks of 'normal' lessons to flush out any anomalies, and then use SATs results as a main indicator with CATs and some observations from lessons so far as 'moderating factors'.

[IndigoBell]

lireal - they might not have set yet.

My school don't put them in Sets till Christmas.

Remember the primary school have already spoken to the secondary school about him, and all his IEPs and other SEN stuff will be transferred - so it's not as though they don't know about his dyspraxia.

[lirael]

AView - that's what's weird, as Ds was in higher sets at primary and teachers very pleased with progress, SATs results etc. Got a fab report. But from what he tells me about other kids in his groups, they've got a huge mix of abilities in there, so think there will be a shake up soon.

Indigo - we have made the same decision about the dyspraxia. Trouble is, the setting issue has made me question it - primary always put him 'where his brain is' rather than looking at his presentation etc.

[AViewfromtheFridge]

Glad to hear they're all settling in well! Another teacher here - setting is usually done mostly on the primary school's recommendation, as SATS results tend to trickle in over the summer. Like you say, CAT tests should show up any anomalies, and there is usually quite a lot of movement in the first few weeks as we try to get it right. If you're really worried, contact the HOY.

Regarding the PE kit, a lot of ours just stuff it into their normal school bag, without a separate PE bag. I imagine their books for that day smell lovely! (That said, most of my year 7 form appeared yesterday laden with two ENORMOUS bags - one on each side - some of them could barely fit through the door!)

[IndigoBell]

My DS has had 2 days at secondary school, and I'm blown away by how good it's going.

Obviously he hates the teachers and the kids and the uniform. Tucking his shirt in is torture. The bell hurts his ears.

But he is fine. He really is.

He's signed up for rugby and for war hammer.


I told the SENCO I didn't want him to have any extra help. I told the primary school before their transition meeting I dont want them to make a big deal out of his Aspergers. I wanted him to have a fresh start. I wanted him to stop using his Aspergers to get out of doing stuff.

But the primary HT did tell the secondary SENCO he needed support.

So on the first day someone took him out of class to talk to him about making friends and aspergers etc. DS was not impressed.

Apparently this is going to be a regular thing. Although I'm sure DS will talk his way out of it soon. :)

[lirael]

Wouldn't it be weird if he was DS1's clone friend? . You don't live near us I suppose? . W Country?

[MrsShrek3]

ds's "setting" story virtually identical to yours. Scarily so.

[lirael]

MrsShrek - it's a Slazenger rucksack from Sports Direct.

As far as setting goes, it now appears that he's in the third set of four for everything, even Science, which is his best subject. But they are CATs testing in a couple of weeks so things may change after that. He got 5s in Maths, Science and Reading in SATs, 4 for writing (with 4 overall for English). The annoying thing is that History, Geog, Art, Drama, Music, RE and IT are ALL set on the basis of English, which scuppers him good and proper. And I think is pretty barmy.

Having said all that, he's not bothered. The new friend he's made (who he describes as a clone of himself ) is in all the same groups and he's keen to stay with him. I can see that they may have thought he'd do better in slightly smaller, slower paced groups as his recording can be slow. So we'll just have to see - will wait til after CATS.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Lireal, dd has been put in a bottom set and her friends in a higher set. Dd was the only one out of them though to pass her 11plus so I'm rather confused.

[Startailoforangeandgold]

Lirael Secondary school setting can be barmy.

Personally I'd question it, you will probably get fobbed off by we're testing/doing CATs or something similar.

However, it does mean you won't get a blank stare next time you raise it again at the first parents evening.

They did put DD1 up for Maths and Science (3to2) and she's now at the top of 2.

She's dyslexic and socially inept. She is also very bright and very quick at understanding things. It's just primary maths with tables and mental tests is not dyslexia friendly.

[MrsShrek3]

Lirael, where did you get that bag?

We have the same debate, ds has PE shorts and top, footy boots, trainers and socks in his bag, all squashed. And he reckons he's getting the lot into his rucksack. Not if he's planning on taking his lunch and Famous Waterproof (see top of thread, sigh) he's done well enough to keep track of all his stuff (for two whole days, lol) but TWO bags? Eeeek!

[lirael]

I managed to get Ds1 a rucksack that has a compartment at the bottom for shoes - result! So now he can get the rest of his kit into the rucksack - but not at the same time as his lunch. Which has added fuel to his argument that he should have school lunches ( we had said no originally as too expensive and not particularly healthy). We have compromised and he will have school lunches on the days he has PE...

Bit that he appears to have been put into the 3rd set out of 4 for Maths - he got a level 5 in SATs and primary teacher said he was fairly strong.

[JustGettingByMum]

I'm wondering the same! DD has PE today too, I think she will need to carry 2 bags or squash all her new exercise books that we spent last night covering in sticky back plastic.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Dd has PE today as well. She was trying to ram her PE bag into her school bag as apparently that's what everyone does. It wouldn't fit so she's gone off in a huff saying she will get teased now.

She's got a normal sized gola bag for school. PE kit is in a duffle bag and is trainers, trousers and polo shirt. How on earth does everyone else manage to fit it all in?

[lirael]

First PE this morning - this will be the difficult time for DS1 as he is sooo slow at getting changed. Top button of shirt giving particular problems. The actual PE won't be as bad, I don't think - he's a trier, which helps. That's if the lesson hasn't finished by the time he gets into his kit .

Forgot to say that both buttons had dropped off his blazer by the time he got home yesterday, but so had his friend's - the result of doing the buttons up and then walking to school with a rucksack on your back!

[MrsShrek3]

All sounding good so far for everyone
Ds reallyenjoyed his first day. He is very pleased with locker number, keyring etc - but can't actually find the locker to put the padlock on, apparently it's in the middle of "Locker City" but he likes the number, so that's alright then
He loves the uniform and the planner has been shown to everyone, much to our amazement. Looking promising

[KitKatGirl1]

Ds started Monday. Has survived so far, including triple games today. Was brave enough to speak to the Principal when he got lost, but hasn't made any friends yet though says he doesn't want to...Has done the bits of homework straight away so far but is very, very tired.
He also announced that he's pleased that his locker number is his favourite number from the Fibonacci sequence (sp?)...that's my Aspie!

[lirael]

All fine here - had a phone call at 3.10 to say he'd be home a bit later as he was walking back via the games shop with his new friend! Managed to get a certain amount of info out of him when he got home before he became immersed in the murky world of Minecraft in which the only language appears to be grunts .

[VivaLeBeaver]

My dd came home very happy, she enjoyed her day. Big relief! Good luck o people staring tomorrow.

[MrsShrek3]

Good luck all - hope to hear some news as to how it's going... DS starts tomorrow. So excited he can't sleep

[coppertop]

Just dropping in to wish everyone the best of luck for Yr7.



Ds starts Yr8 this week but it only seems like 5 minutes since he started secondary school.

[VivaLeBeaver]

We managed with the tie tying. Thank God because she still can't do shoe laces!

She was so shaky this morning though and had some tears before she left. Hoping she comes home with a big smile.

[lirael]

Ah Funchum, you sound lovely! I hope there are many like you at Ds's new school. We have taken the decision not to raise Ds's dyspraxia before he starts - his primary teacher and SENCo assured me they told the secondary school and he has progressed so well that we want to see how he goes. I can tell you that this goes against everything I have ever done before!. But we will be keeping a close eye on how he's doing with organisation, writing down homework etc - emails of teachers is a really good idea.

One day to go - DS has just written a list on his phone of the things he has to do before school. It says: get up, have shower, feed cat, have breakfast, delouse ( by which I think he means do face, hair, teeth ), get dressed, free time!!!