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SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

help please!

10 replies

Dawndonnaagain · 30/01/2015 09:49

Dd1, 18, year 12. She has recently been diagnosed with narcolepsy. Apart from the falling asleep, she has 'missing moments', quite common with narcolepsy, she looks like she's awake but in fact her brain is asleep. The school have seen the diagnosis. All staff have been asked to do notes and bullet points to assist in lessons, which is fine, but sometimes, particularly at A level, discussions on a topic meander and more stuff is learnt by discussion and absorbing what's been said, etc. Learning by osmosis! Anyway, point is, we have given dd a dictaphone to record lessons. We thought this would be fine, discussed briefly with the head of sixth form who said it was up to the individual teachers. Ok, we thought, can't see how anyone could disagree, but a couple of them are. Does anybody know if we can legally force this issue? It really does mean she may miss out on extra information, and I'm not sure that bullet points are really enough to allow for their interpretaion of necessary adjustments for Disabled Pupils.

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PolterGoose · 30/01/2015 15:49

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Dawndonnaagain · 30/01/2015 16:07

No, she doesn't, you have to be unable to read and write to get a statement in sixth form here. She also has AS and a form of Cerebral Palsy.
I'm damned sure she should be allowed to record the lessons. The excuse from one teacher has been that it's unfair on other students who may say something inappropriate. Not heard why the other member of staff doesn't want it. I have offered for the staff to be in charge of the recorder so that they can signal when it's on and off. Having said that, dd is a quiet and diligent worker. Her twin would take the piss mightily, but dd is very serious and studious.

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PolterGoose · 30/01/2015 16:12

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Dawndonnaagain · 30/01/2015 16:18

Yes, when I was lecturing I frequently had three or four recorders on the lectern.

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PolterGoose · 30/01/2015 16:23

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Dawndonnaagain · 31/01/2015 10:33

Polter that's lovely, Thank you!

I'm still trying to find legal stuff, I've got all the best practice stuff, but need legal to ensure it's carried out.

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PolterGoose · 31/01/2015 10:38

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Icimoi · 31/01/2015 11:14

You really should apply for an Education, Health and Care Plan. It doesn't matter what your council's normal practice is, if they say no you can appeal to the tribunal. There's a sample letter on the SOS SEN website. And, as Polter says, take the query to the SN Children board.

Dawndonnaagain · 31/01/2015 11:40

Icimoi You're right. I'm going to go kick arse on Monday. Sick of it.

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callamia · 31/01/2015 11:45

Good luck. Your daughter's needs are far more complex than simply educational ones, and a multi-disciplinary view of things may be very helpful. I just can't imagine why anyone would complain about having lessons recorded (the reason given is lame). We encourage students to do this at university, so it's just too bizarre that a sixth form won't accommodate this.

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