How can you tell secondary school is good?

[Christmasishere9]

I don’t know what to make of DD school.

DD has as EHCP but I never hear from SENCO, we are supposed to have termly meetings. LA has not received the 2 last end of year reports. I think the lady is always off sick. Maybe they have too many children with special needs.

My emails to the head of year get ignored. School gets an additional 10k a year from LA for the additional support she requires. The reports are a bit rubbish; I am not sure what her targets are or whether she is on target or below; not sure what level is she working at.

DD is getting disheartened with school and so I am. The meeting with the teacher are so short and it gives me the impression they don’t know DD. she’s in year 9.

The school is resting on the laurels.

The only time school calls us is when her attendance drops as they only seem concerned about funding.

Teachers have been there for awhile and I feel they can’t be bother anymore. They lack the enthusiasm and passion that young people bring.

We are spending quite a bit of money in tutoring and extra curricular outside school as DD doesn’t think the ones at school are that great.

School results are average; I don’t think the school excel at anything.

What is your child school like? How can you tell is a good school?

We sent DD there because behaviour seemed good; seemed liked a nurturing school; single sex and no distractions or harassment from boys.We thought she will get the best support there. I can’t tell anymore.

am I asking too much from a state school? Teachers and staff have enough as it is?

An additional £10k is a very high level of funding. Is it definitely £10k in addition to the first £6k that school should fund? Either way she should have significant levels of support. Do you get given copies of her termly targets (maybe called an IEP or ILP) and do you contribute to her targets at the annual reviews? Yes yhe SENCO is probably overworked with too many children to support but the school sounds slack at best.

There should be an annual review of the EHCP, with information about whether the targets set each year have been met and new targets set. That would include the SENCo asking for information from subject teachers. That should also inform what support is needed for the forthcoming year and the LA should amend the EHCP to reflect that.

You should be aware, from those meetings and parents evenings, what progress your child is making and what areas for development there are. Year 9 is often the year when GCSE options are chosen, so it’s important to know what would be good choices.

Is her attendance generally a concern? I imagine it’s dropped below a certain level if you’re being contacted about it.

Thank you; will check reg the 6k.

We don’t get copies of her targets; I have no idea what IEP or ILP are. Termly report only mentions classwork, independent study, attitude to learning. Good, excellent, inconsistent.

Annual report have end of year assessments as a percentage and class results assessment as a percentage and a comment for each subject.

I emailed school a few months ago asking for target, head of school reply they will speak to SENCO and that was the end of it.

Maybe I should email the Headteacher after the holidays.

We do have an end of year report but I don’t think is as detailed as you mentioned with targets, etc.

I called the LA and they said they have not received them; basically they had forgotten about it and they said sorry that they should have been chasing the school.

I am quite disheartened about the school and the whole system to be honest

The system is rubbish but a whole lot better than your school sounds. I can't believe the little things I stress about as a SENCO when I read about schools behaving in this way, not even completing the Blbare minimum.

In the Code of Practice 2015 it states you should be invited into school three times a year to discuss progress. This is normally when Individual Learning Plans are completed and reviewed. The Code of Practice is your friend if you read it and quote it to the school.

Thanks

What can I do? Email the headteacher? Move school?

The LA is ultimately responsible for ensuring the EHCP is reviewed at least annually. This is different 5 the end of year school report. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use to remind the LA of their duty. If that doesn’t work, post back on MN for the next steps.

Is all the support DD needs detailed, specified and quantified in F? If so, is DD actually receiving the support?

Thanks. Will contact the LA again. I think the support in the plan is specific and quantied but I can’t tell what’s happening and what is not at school

I checked the plan and it says 6000 notional and 4000 to up so I guess school only gets 4000 additional; no wonder schools are struggling; however it would be good if school sticks to the plan and we have the termly meetings with school and SENCO as after 2 years we have no clue what DD targets are and what level is she working up.

The Head of year said she will speak to SENCO but she said the same 3 months ago and nothing happened

Focus on the provision detailed, specified and quantified in F. Is all the provision required detailed, specified and quantified in F or is it vague and woolly with some provision not covered? That is legally enforceable, and the LA is ultimately responsible for ensuring it is provided and ensuring there is sufficient funding.

Thank you. Will check this. I think the plan is detailed; not too sure reg the provision as DD and school don’t tell me much. Will speak to LA after the holidays

I wouldn’t wait to speak to the LA. You can send IPSEA’s model letter for failure to follow the AR process now.

Thanks; will so that. I spoke to them a few weeks ago and they did say it was also their fault for not chasing and following up with school

‘Also their fault’ sounds like the LA is passing the buck. Ultimately, it is the LA’s duty to ensure the AR is completed correctly.