Mainstream to Specialist. Feeling deflated.

[MyEggJustHatched]

DS is in year9. MS failed spectacularly for him and he has been out of school since October last year.

He is a very bright boy but functionally young for his age and is vulnerable. He has been offered a place at a fantastic SEN school who cater to a mix of disabilities. Now his start date is looming, I’m feeling rather deflated and worried.

Part of the issue is his acceptance that he is “different” to his peers; he does not want to accept this. He burnt himself out trying to fit in with MS children and ended up needing MH treatment.

I’m also worried about what the reality of a SEN school is. I do not have any experience of the setup. What if another DC hurts him when upset? Is there constant supervision?

He will be in a mixed year group (a maximum of 10 children) to meet his academic needs. These children will be 2-3 years older than him and I’m not sure about this as he is very vulnerable.

Can anyone offer reassurance? I’m slightly overwhelmed and feeling emotional about things .

What the set up is like and the level of supervision will depend on the individual SS and also what is specified and quantified in pupils’ EHCPs. SS are all different.

Have you spoken to the school? Do they have a plan for transition?

Is DS receiving any support targeted at acceptance?

I'm a SEND teacher. Mixed ages in my class and 10 max. We do have TA 's and there should be constant supervision. Honestly there is a chance he could be hurt by another child but generally the staff would know and manage the other child's triggers and remove from the area before it got to that. It's usually staff hurt not children.

Read the school policies- do they have Team Teach? PRICE? Ask what the class set up is? How many TA's? Do you have photos of the pupils and class team and classroom for transition for him to start looking at?

Honestly I would say he will be better supervised than in main stream. Feel free to ask me any specifics.