Should school be doing anything to help my son?

[Guardsman18]

Hi. I wonder if anyone can give me some advice please?

My son (15) was diagnosed with ADHD about three years ago. I had many conversations with the ALNco (?) at the school throughout years 7, 8 and 9. LSA's were with him when available, we talked about him maybe missing some subjects and having more teaching of the weaker subjects.

I should add for context and maybe to get the correct advice, that he is adopted and his birth mother was an addict. The most honest Ed Psych said many years ago - who knows what street drugs do to these children? You can only do your best.

I had a phone call a few weeks ago from school to say that I was not to worry that they had forgotten about him (I didn't until that was mentioned!) but they had tested him for extra exam time and he came out with too high a score to qualify. There isn't a great deal I can do about that (I don't think) but we did have a brief chat about maybe sitting in a quiet room for exams etc.

They also said that there was no extra assistance available now as the TA's had left but he could still go to a homework club for an hour (which he does.)

So, I have just had his interim report and he is under achieving in a few subjects - even the ones that were ranked very highly last year and that he has chosen himself.

One teacher in particular gave him colouring in for home work because he said he didn't understand the book. I felt that was a bit unkind but maybe I'm over reacting? He is obviously struggling in this subject. I have tried to help him but he does find literature questions very hard. He has always been in the top sets but has been put in a lower one now. Shouldn't they have told me?

I want to ring the school but am really unsure of what I'm asking for tbh. Does he have any 'rights' to any additional help? I feel as if he's drowning love him and for once I don't really know what to do.

Does anyone know what I can reasonably ask for? I feel I want to tell him to just do his best in the subjects he enjoys and is good at and wing the rest! I know that that is not my best idea though is it?

That was long! Thank you

Contact IPSEA if you're in the U.K. they can advise what your son is entitled to.

Thank you lou. I appreciate it. I will contact LA tomorrow.

I think you need to be a bit pushier, ask for more frequent feedback with regards to changes. Make sure he’s doing things that give him confidence outside of school, and that you keep supporting him in all the areas he enjoys and is good at. Can you look at some additional tuition if school are not doing all they should?

Thanks for your reply Hero. I feel you are right about being pushier. Things were being put in place since he started in yr 7 (I was at the school a lot!) There doesn't seem to be anything now. This has only come to light recently hence my post.

I can get him a tutor but wanted to know whether school 'should' be putting something in place.

I think most schools are so hard up for resources they struggle to be honest. But that’s not your or your son’s fault, I think you just have to be clear and committed to getting the best for him. It’s not a fair situation though. Best of luck.

Does he have a SEND plan? He should be on the sen register and at least have a plan. Ds has just been diagnosed with an sen in year 11 and now has a plan. He does not qualify for extra time but does use a laptop and is also in a smaller room for all exams.

I would send an email tomorrow (at least with email all communication is recorded) and ask for a meeting with the senco. Take in a list of your concerns and see what they are able to offer. If you don't get a reply to your email then email a member of the senior leadership team. Unfortunately you will probably have to be pushy but that is the only way to get help sometimes.

Hi. I too have a 15yo in y10 who is adopted.

You will be aware the school gets PP+ for him, and that is meant to be ring fenced for him (unlike normal PP which is ringfenced for the PP cohort). So there is a pot of money available. Maybe enough for some intervention lessons, but not for a full time 1-1 TA.

DD has also just 'lost' her extra time as in assessments she isn't using it enough. School have said that as demands increase if she does start needing it she'll get it back.

The trouble with interventions in school in y10 is they can't take him out of one GCSE lesson to help with another one, as the first will suffer.

The English lit books are tricky - what is he doing?

With DD in English Lit, apart from having an external tutor who goes at her pace, other things we have done are:

• listened to J&H (available on you tube)
• have been to see live versions of AIC & Macbeth
• discussed all the above at home

(DD hasn't even started AIC or Macbeth at school yet)

• The York study guides are pretty good too, they discuss the characters, themes etc.

One thing I'm not really clear on, is what sort of difficulties he is having and what might help.
You said ADHD - so would a prompt is exams help to keep him on task?
Would dropping a GCSE so he has some gaps in his timetable and less academic load be beneficial?

You wouldn't normally expect a school to inform you if a child changes set. We can see the sets from the timetable coding, or the DC tells you themselves.

What are plans for after GCSEs? What does he need to get onto his desired courses? Focus on reaching those first.