AIBU to feel frustrated with school, re SEN issues?

[Floottoot]

I've posted previously, regarding some issues we've had, regarding exam access arrangements for DD.
In a nutshell, she is in year 9 at a selective indie, diagnosed with ADHD with related executive functioning and working memory issues. School assessed her for extra time in exams, which she qualifies for.

Following a GCSE exam where other agreed access arrangements didn't happen, we had a meeting with the head to discuss this and other issues to do with Dd's SEN.
One of the main issues DD has is that she can't do 2 things at once, eg copy from the board while listening to the teacher, or write down dictated notes. This was recorded by the SENCo following an assessment last year, but some teachers continue to make DD copy from the board and it's become apparent that her books are littered with misrecorded info and incomplete notes. As such, we asked the head if she could be given class notes or maybe a printed outline of lessons. The head's response was that that just would not happen, as the GCSE courses are too demanding and too fast-paced, and they are "not a special school".
Now, I realise that the school is selective and their SEN policy states that the needs of the minority will not take priority over the needs of the majority, BUT they knew DD had a diagnosis and SpLD when we applied, and they selected her for a place, whilst assuring us that they were committed to SEN issues.

Does the head's assertion that DD can't expect the kind of support we've asked for seem reasonable, and are GCSEs really so fierce that students with any kind of SEN have no chance of coping?
The suggestion the head made was that DD should drop a subject so that she has free periods in which to try to tie up loose ends left over from lessons. Are we being unreasonable to think that a better solution would be to simply support her in class; in the subjects where this is happening, she is doing well.

[hmcAsWas]

"I have known numerous independent schools that talk the talk on SEN but in practice they are woeful"
Just for balance my dd's independent school has been absolutely phenomenal (dd has dyslexia)

"and are GCSEs really so fierce that students with any kind of SEN have no chance of coping?"

Thanks to the delightful Mr Gove todays GCSEs really are very exacting. My dd is sitting them now. She is coping but its a tough slog. The curriculum has expanded and there is a so much material to commit to memory (often a problem if your dc has working memory issues). In maths some of the old A level syllabus has now been incorporated into the GCSE. Exams are linear with little or no course work (except subjects like Art, PE, Photography). However you may find your independent school offers IGCSEs which retain course work - my dd has coursework in her history GCSE and 50% of English Language was coursework (both Cambridge International).

How many GCSEs is your dc planning to do next year? My dd has done 9 and has only coped because her exams were spread over a longer period than in state schools (due to some being IGCSE and starting earlier - 2nd May), with fewer papers (2 papers for history + coursework whereas other boards are 3 papers, also 1 paper for Eng Lang + coursework, whereas for other boards it is 2....I think Eng Lit worked out as fewer papers too), and because one of her subjects was Art - so no memorising of endless swathes of information for that

My dd is doing 9 which is fewer than her peers without spLD. She dropped a MFL and dropped RS (although studied the subject and went to class - just didn't do the exam)

She has ICT short course (0.5 GCSE) from last year so should get 9.5 by the end

[AornisHades]

Could she have a dictaphone that gets put on her (or the teacher's) desk as well as a camera to take a picture?
She could listen back in short chunks to add to her notes.

[hmcAsWas]

Sorry - missed your post where you mentioned what subjects she plans to do

[junebirthdaygirl]

My ds has dyslexia and he just concentrated on listening and used study guides later to catch up. Sometimes he photocopied a friends notes. Do the teachers insist she copies stuff down or would they allow her just listen.
When ds went to university he was provided with a dictaphone and could listen to a lecture over and over again. It was brilliant but they are not allowed here in lreland to have one.
My ds literally had no notes from school except handouts. It was all done at home through study guides ( and me going over and over it with him)

[Floottoot]

hmc, she is hoping to do 9, plus she's already done the short course ICT this year.
I'm not sure whether her school does iGCSEs; I suspect not. She's doing Latin in place of a MFL, so no oral, listening or English to Latin translation. In actual fact, it's maths and a couple of sciences she's finding the hardest, and the teachers of 2 of those aren't doing anything to help DD.

[hmcAsWas]

For science I would echo the other posters who have advised that the Revision guides for the sciences are comprehensive, easy to follow and a good fall back. I had a poor maths teacher way back when I was at school and was basically self taught from using a LETTS do Maths GCE book. Obviously this is not ideal and you shouldn't have to resort to self teaching to supplement poor classroom support though.....
Tassomai is also helpful for revision nearer the time

The school and the Science teachers should be far more responsive, and the advice you received from another poster re contacting ISI is on the money.

[TeenTimesTwo]

If maths & sciences are the biggest issue, than revision guides should help a lot. If she can concentrate in lessons on listening and understanding and just do the best notes she can to keep teachers happy, then the guides contain all the 'required' information.

I maybe found it easier as we are a scientific family, but even the biology which was new to me was mainly doable from the guides. There should hopefully be a board specific one which includes everything 'necessary and sufficient', but you may find a more general wordy one too is useful which has more explanation. e.g. DD had an Excel guide and a Letts (wordy) one.

Maths isn't a 'note taking' subject really. More of a listen, understand and practice one. Again there are some good guides out there, plus 'GCSE workbooks' with practice questions.

[Floottoot]

Thanks for all the excellent suggestions - very much appreciated.

I've bought science and maths study guides and they have definitely helped with revision. Regarding maths, the teacher obviously writes out worked examples on the board, while talking, which the pupils have to copy down. DD has said that the teacher will ask her to answer a question while she's still writing down an earlier step of the method. She says she just can't keep up when it's taught like that.
I've looked into the ISI but realise it only applies to schools in England. I have, however, looked at the last Ofsted type inspection and there is a recommendation to improve IEPs, as well as a % of parent questionnaire responses stating that they feel their child's specific learning needs aren't being sufficiently supported, so that's telling.

[Flyingprettycretonnecurtains]

Haven't read the full thread but yes unreasonable of head. I run provision at an indie. Basic provision is for minimum copying, teachers to email powerpoints, give extra time, etc. Of course there are the occasional teacher that forgets more regularly than they should but as most schools have a moodle or portal system where resources are put then it isn't hard.

[Bibesia]

Of course the school is subject to the Equality Act, and the adjustments you are asking for are entirely reasonable. It could be worth getting a copy of their equality policy and checking whether the head and staff are actually complying with it.

[PeggySchuylar]

copies of powerpoint being sent by email has helped.

My DD dropped RE to create a bit more study time, others have dropped MFL.

My DC's notes tend to be awful. We use the study guides and bitesize and youtube (science with Hazel and Primrose Kitten for science).

My DD with ADHD is midway through GCSEs. I am exhausted through the amount of scaffolding/company she has needed.

Her last report said "She needs to improve her organisation and be more focussed." That's right because SHE HAS ADHD.

My youngest is at at indy which is better due to smaller classes which are quieter. His history teacher said, "he needs to work on the gap between his class contribution and his written work." Yes. That will be his DYSLEXIA.

Keep going op. Ask fir very concrete things (like using the ipad to photograph the board and having copies of lessons where they exist).

GCSEs are really hard. The volume of material is enormous.

University is better. Handouts on cream paper for every lecture. All lectures recorded and put on student portal to be listened to anytime.

[ReservoirDogs]

To the poster who asked above yea the ds being supportes is at an independent school - some do help kids who need support!

[chocolateworshipper]

"Schools must also ensure that no existing pupil is discriminated against in the manner in which education is provided, the way that pupils are able to access facilities/services, or through excluding a pupil or subjecting them to any other detriment."

www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/special-educational-needs/legal/adjustments-for-sen

[LadyPeacock]

I agree with PP to ask if she can have an ipad in class and photograph notes on the board. I do that in Masters lectures and we do that in meetings at work too!

So many Independent schools are all over BYOD I can't see how they could argue it wasn't OK.

Then she could just listen, absorb, and photo for later.

Copying from the board as the main way of transferring info is pretty archaic anyway TBH.

[physicskate]

Haven't read the whole thread. Could your dad not photocopy someone else's notes after lessons? The trouble with being supplied notes is they often change during the lesson due to a class' needs.

I was a teacher until recently. My notes for lessons (when I had them - mostly for a level to make sure every detail was covered) wouldn't make much sense to anyone else. Copy a student's notes. Easy solution.

[mothie]

Mathswatch is excellent for GCSE maths revision for pupils with specific learning difficulties as it's very structured, but concise.
Tassomia is good for sciences.

[Floottoot]

Peggy, ah, yes, DD has had similar report comments - " A's test results do not reflect her standard of work in class". Really? That would be because she has ADHD.

The school has an online student portal, but its use seems sporadic at best. We've asked if teachers would put resources and homework details on there, but they don't. We've requested that DD can photograph homework from the board, but was told that they have had an incident with a student using the internet inappropriately, so no phones allowed at all during school hours.

physicskate, I'm not talking about word for word notes, but more a topic outline with bullet points, as a sort of prompt/ framework for DD. She needs something in front of her while a teacher talks, rather than trying to copy and listen at the same time.

Since I posted, we have made some head way with this; the head has suggested putting DD on report, so that her teachers have to check she's written the homework down. Slightly frustrated that I suggested similar 2 years ago but it was never done, and also that they are choosing to use what is usually used as a disciplinary action BUT if it works, happy days.
DD, along with the rest of her English group, has also been given a laminated prompt card to remind her about SPaG issues, specific spellings, writing techniques, proof reading etc - again, something I asked for 6 months ago.

Thanks again for the many helpful suggestions.

[PeggySchuylar]

Catching the details of homework given out at end of lesson is really hard. DC can be trying to finish the bloody copying off the board, while the class is packing up. It is so hard to ask the teacher to repeat/clarify task leading to everyone being delayed.

Copying from the board is hard if you have attentional, working memory and scanning issues. Look up. Read a chunk. Remember it. Look down. Recall. Write. Look up. Scan. Locate text. Read etc

So being “on report” will prompt the teachers to take the time to check with your DD. If it organises the teacher’s behaviour in the right direction that will be good.

I think it’s particularly hard for schools to even see the problem with bright ADHD girls. “Oh she’s great. She makes connections.” What they don’t see is she can’t help making connections and her attention will go off on a tangent.

Then so many of the difficulties look like laziness. It’s tough.

DD’s comp has just started an online homework thing. Bit late for DD as she’s nearly finished GCSEs.

[Summersnake]

This is in interesting thread....I've a ds with autism doing gcse at a private college.ive had to buy all the cgp workbooks and answer booksin every subject for him to work through ....he keeps saying they tell him to revise but don't give him books or work to revise from...it's a bit of a lottery secondary ed.

[IdaDown]

This shit really pisses me off.

Your DD is covered by the Disabilities Act, and that shit about the needs of the many... where to fucking start about that illegal statement.

Look at DD’s Clinical diagnostic report. There should be a section about accomodations needed. If not go back to the clinician and ask for one.

Send in an email to head and school SENCO/Learning Support. Ask why the clinician’s recommendations are not being followed.

The key is ‘reasonable’ accomodations. There is nothing unreasonable in asking for pre-prepared class notes, photos of board notes, dictaphone, dragon software, enlarged papers, breaks in classes/exams etc...

Financial limits are not a reason (under the Disabilities Act) not to do these.

If your DD has already sat her GCSEs I’d be sending in a formal complaint to the examining board and your LA, that your DD did not recieve accomodations despite you asking.

[Floottoot]

*IdaDown", I'm grateful you posted today.
I'm at my wits' end. DD had end of year exams last week and they were pretty disasterous, after it became clear that her books were full of incomplete work, missing sheets, mistakes etc. We had to contact the school AGAIN after DD broke down about a science subject that had a file of endless sheets that she'd never finished ( some were not even started), in no kind of topic order. The teacher tried to say it wasn't as bad as it looked, but also said she remembered telling DD she needed to finish a piece of work but had then forgotten to check back that DD had actually done it.
Today, I've looked at another of her subject books and the teacher has written some comments that, IMO, show she doesn't recognise DD's SEN; for eg, she's asked why there is work missing and said, " it's YOUR responsibility to make sure your work is complete", underlining the "your". She's also scrawled " underline" in big letters on every page, because DD can't remember to underline titles.

I feel sick that DD has had her self confidence chipped away like this ; she has said that she feels this particular teacher doesn't like her.