i think my ds is doing fine but a SEN app form was sent home today!!

[georgelana]

My 2nd child (of3) age 6 is in yr 1. Rec was all about making friends and not so much reading so i didn't push it with him. he's a very social boy and always gets noticed for his good behaviour and manners. at home he's a bit of a handful, bedtimes are hard work and id say he gets to sleep between 10-11pm with a struggle and up again at 4am then 7am, so 8hrs max! he eats well, is a healthy boy. his reading this year has been slow but he can read a basic sentence and recognise key words, his phonics are ok not perfect but hes able to sound out words. i got a private tutor for 30min every week, she says hes fine just will learn in his own time. His teacher at school has other ideas and has had him in a 'special' reading class with one other boy who can not read at all. he's gone up a stage in reading at school since the extra classes (or the tutors help), his handwriting is the same as other boys in his class and his maths is above average. he's not that interested in books so sitting him to read is a chore. Anyway teacher sent home an application form for me to sign a SEN assessment form, she didint discuss with me first, just sent it home. Im livid, and quite frankly disgusted with the way they have dealt with this. i dint like the attitude of the teacher she seemed to imply this was my fault, not spending enough time on 'homework' (hes 6!!) ive called a meeting tomorrow at school. am i overreacting? is this 1st stage denial on my part and ds has special needs? but i just dont think he has, i think he's a 'do it in his own time' kind of guy. honestly my gut reaction was to pull him out of the school and home ed or at least get him on to an independent school! your views would be appreciated x

obviously you will want more information about why they want him to have an assessment and who is doing it before you can agree to it, but try and have an open mind when you speak to school, as sounds like the school want to step in and support him with reading in case it becomes a problem later down the line. I have no idea at all whether he is just a late starter with reading or whether they may be some sort of issue like dyslexia, but better to have the extra support than not at this age. Try and avoid a kneejerk reaction like pulling him out of school/moving to independent, see what the school suggests. Also bear in mind that he will have a new teacher next year, so even if you think this year's one has an attitude, you won't be dealing with her for much longer.

I don't think there is anything wrong with investigating possible issues earlier rather than later. As a teacher she is concerned about your son, she is not trying to label him, she is trying to support him with something he is finding difficult. Would it be such a bad thing if your ds does have sn? If he has a specific difficulty then there are strategies that could make a big improvement very quickly. If he doesn't have any sn then what has it cost to have an assessment? Probably nothing.

yes, your right. But i think they have delt with this a bit shoddy. my feeling is the style of teaching and the obsession about fluent reading by recpetion/y1 , as if they want to get them reading so the kids can teach themselves! I feel as if its all about stats not working with the childs strengths. just had a meeting with them and im not happy with their response, so im going to look else where for a school that specialises in encouraging a child's strengths than labelling his weaknesses.

I completely see where you are coming from - and it is true that schools are labelling children as "SEN" when all they need is a little extra help. (well that is ofsted's view anyway). But if your boy does need a little extra help - this is the way to get it - reading is going to be fundamental to everything your boy learns - so it is good to get him the help now. A full assessment will rule out any additional problems like dyslexia. Worst case scenario, if he does have a real "difficulty", early intervention is the key to doing well in spite of any difficulty.

How ironic. I wish my school would label my son, assess him and identify his weaknesses. Then he might get the help he needs. Still they don't seem to agree with me, that he needs help more urgently than they seem able to offer...

'as if they want to get them reading so the kids can teach themselves! '

You really believe that's why teachers want children to leave reception with the basic tools for education? I'm sad that you think the school is not trying to help your son from an altruistic POV, and that you are looking for a place that is more indifferent.
However, your outraged response is not unusual, and most schools will put support into place as they see fit, with or without the support of the parent.

I think they should have called first but I also think they are trying to help your son.

How ironic. I wish my school would label my son, assess him and identify his weaknesses. Then he might get the help he needs. Still they don't seem to agree with me, that he needs help more urgently than they seem able to offer...

Ditto. However, I think the school should have spoken to you first though!

I also get the accusations that I don't read with my DS. There is a strong history of dyslexia in my family. My DS got top marks for everything except for literacy in which I was told he makes no effort. FFS! He needs an assessment. Being told he makes no effort is counterproductive.

I wish my son's school was more pro-active.

Also, OP, if your child falls behind in reading he will fall behind in EVERYTHING. Believe me!

A private assessment for dyslexia costs around £400. Surely, it is better if the school do it?