Problems with school, LA and transition to secondary education

[jinglymum]

I am hoping to pick your brains really, this is my first post on here so not really sure where to start, so please bare with me, my post may be jumbled and I will try not to drip feed.

Well my younger siblings are adopted ( not really relevant but thought I would add it) my brother is coming up to 11, he is in his last year of main stream primary school. We have been struggling with the school since he was in year 3, we as his family felt something was "not quite right", school insisted he was just a little behind but plenty of time to catch up. Not just educationally but socially he was always younger, preferring to play with younger children and toys. We fought and fought and fought, eventually he was given a statement for 20 hours a week, on vulnerability and generally behind behind other children of his age.

When he was in year 5 we applied to move him to a specialist school where we felt his needs could be met, this was denied, in his statement it states that his move to secondary would have to be planned, as he was very vulnerable, cannot remember exact wording but can get the statement tomorrow if that would help.

In December a meeting took place where they requested we look into main stream and see what they could offer in terms of SEN, my father met with the head of the local secondary who largely agreed it was not the school for him, educationally and socially. He currently has no friends in his class as he really has nothing in common with him due to him being a lot more immature. WE contact local specialist school, who said he would fit in lovely, and would be mid to top of the learning range. We were happy with that and felt confident he would thrive there.

Well another meeting takes place, and it is decided he should go to main stream, we are told we can appeal this if we please. What happens if the appeal it turned down? Does anyone have any advice, we feel his need would not be met in the local secondary he has the ability of a 6 year old, emotionally and academically. We just don't understand how they would possible see this school suitable for him.

If you got this far thank you and any advice would be appreciated, it just feel like one big struggle at the moment.

Is there anything on the IPSEA website that would help?

From the LAs pov it is far more cost effective to send children to mainstream so they will always try to push you in that direction.

Definitely appeal - ask the preferred school to help you put together a case as they will probably have experience in this, and will know what they can say about your brother's needs that only they can offer to help strenghten the argument.

Good luck.

Thank you Jandymaccomesback, I have never heard of that website so will have a look now.

OlympicEater, thank you, we will get in touch with the school he would like to go to, hopefully they will support us as they did say he would fit in nicely.

All we want is for him to be happy, in his current class he is called all sorts of names, it is heart breaking and that is a small school, so it will be ten times worse in a larger senior school.

Just in case you don't win your appeal, please don't feel like the MS option is a terrible one.

DS had an awful time at primary, but his secondary, because it is so large, is well resourced and experienced and he is flourishing in this environment. In a larger school it is possible to be a bit more invisible and there are more children with similar needs than in a small primary school.

Forgot to add, pop over to the Primary board, there are some very generous and experienced posters who are familiar with the appeals process (and the law relating to it) who may be able to give you some guidance, as some of them sit on appeals panels.

Thank you OlympicEater

We really feel he wouldn't cope, he is unable to go upstairs and dress himself, he needs constant prompts, to do things, for example my mum told him to go in the shower, he went upstairs, a few minutes later she couldn't hear the water running so went to check on him, he says well you didn't tell me to turn the water on? He's 11 soon. There is no way he would be able to find the school bus after school, get on the correct one and get home safely. His short term memory is appalling. We suspect he is somewhere on autistic spectrum, doesn't like labels in his clothing, no direct sun light on him, everything has to be in a routine and no change from this.

I don't know, its worrying when the head teacher of this school says, he would struggle and be isolated.

Thank you for suggesting the Primary board I will post there too. xx

Hi Jinglymum Primary board probably not the best place look at the special needs where there are loads of posters who can offer you a wealth of experience. It's under special needs rather than education.

My dd just transfered and we looked at the whole special school thing but she is in mainstream and it's best for her. Neigbour is at special school and doing really well. Also little girl in primary is now in special school.

You will have to apply and put your school of choice down. Then be prepared for a fight. You will probably have to go to appeal and will need evidence to support your claim. Then they may not pay for transport which you need to take into consideration when picking school.

Don't be fobbed off by school advice go with what you feel in your gut. Mainstream will be glad to take him on as he comes with a large chunk of money, and they need that to be able to offer effective help to those who don't.

Good luck there are plent out there who can offer all kinds of help on very specific areas.