Student constantly crying

[Konmariconvert]

DS started Secondary in September. Very happy with school so far, DS loves it.

However, there is a boy who is in most of his classes who constantly cries during lessons!

DS tells me he suffers with anxiety and whilst he understands and does try to help this boy wherever he can, he is also admitting that as this boy sits behind him and he finds it hugely difficult to concentrate! DS says it’s constant throughout the lesson and the CT just tells him to be quiet.

Clearly this boy is struggling but what to do without adding to his already stressful situation?

As you aren't the parent of the crying boy (CB) what you can do is very limited.

I'd start with a brief email to your main contact at the school, usually the form tutor. Explain that your child is very concerned about CB and that it is causing your child concern, which is distracting him during lessons. Your child is worried about CB but also worried about not doing well himself in lessons because of this situation.

You probably won't get more than a fairly vague "thank you for making me aware" email but your ds should be able to keep you in the loop. If nothing changes you could email again and request a change in seating plan.

The poor boy, he must be really struggling. My ds is in year 7 and has cried at school a few times but nowhere near that amount, probably once a week or so. We are waiting for a meeting with the senco, our appointment is in February. The boy in your ds's class needs to be getting much more support in school but I would think lack of funding is preventing this from happening.

I would actually say it’s a safeguarding issue. This could be a result of something that’s really wrong in his life. I would go to the Safeguarding lead at the school. Then they cannot ignore it. Anyone can report this. It seems unsettling to me that a child is doing this but is ignored. It’s heartless.

My son has SNs and cries once or twice a day in school but is usually whisked off to Learning Support quickly. He's not hugely unhappy at school. it's just how he reacts when things are hard for him and we are all working with him to help him deal with it.
It's nice that your son is concerned and I agree that a quick email to school is warranted.

Also, it would be worthwhile asking your son if this boy is being teased or bullied for his behaviour as this could be another route to getting him some help.

Suggest you make a complaint that centres around your child being unable to concentrate because of this child’s crying in the classroom. This may prod the school to help the child more or at least take him out of the classroom when it happens for privacy

Someone has to find out why he is crying! And then help him effectively.