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

Specialist school vs mainstream

2 replies

Dantiger · 24/02/2024 13:32

Hi everyone. DS is 3 and this September is able to go to a school nursery. I put his name down at the nursery attached to his brothers school. He currently attends private nursery and is going through asd assesments. He cannot speak, apart from a few words here and there and has limited understanding. He also has sensory issues. His behaviour is quite challenging.

The senco at his nursery are fab. They are already gathering evidence for a ehcp. Yesterday at a meeting with senco, it was recommended that he stays at his current nursery rather than go to the school one as they don’t think he’ll be able to cope at a mainstream nursery. I am happy with that as I agree and he is doing really well at his nursery.

Then they said they think a specialist primary school would be better for him when he is due to start reception in September 2025. They gave me all the pros and cons and reasons as to why they think he wouldn’t cope at a mainstream.

I did leave the meeting a bit disheartened. I didn’t disagree with them, for me it was just a bit of a shock. She said I don’t have to make a decision just yet but it is something I should start to think about. I did want him in a mainstream school to begin with but after the meeting I feel id be a bit daft not to take their advice. Just want to say, I am not questioning them, as I said they are fab, I’m just wanting to hear others experiences if possible

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SearchingForSolitude · 24/02/2024 13:55

It can be a shock. Your feelings are normal. It isn’t always as simple as MS vs SS. It can depend on the school as well. MS and SS vary greatly so I would consider all options.

Right now, you should request an EHCNA ASAP. On their website, ISPEA has a model letter you can use. The process takes 20 weeks but many have to appeal, some more than once, and if you have to appeal multiple times you need all the time you can get.

Dantiger · 24/02/2024 14:26

@SearchingForSolitude Thank you I’ll have a look at the website

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