Foresting school advice please

[Mumaaa]

Hi
my son is struggling in school and is diagnosed with autism and attends mainstream.
on Friday I was offered one morning a week at a forest school. where there is no curriculum and they have camp fires chickens ect. it is based outdoors with no classrooms. So a break from school for him. It says on the website respite for teachers and carers!
sounds like something he might enjoy although it may be hard for him to meet new people.
my only concerns are it is not a special needs provision it is SEMH and the teacher said it is mainly children who have been in care.
he may be overwhelmed by the change and is expected to return to school after his morning there.
what would you think. It’s happened so suddenly I haven’t had time to think and he’s meant to start tomorrow I would have liked to have a look first.

Have you spoken to the forest school? If DS isn’t coping in MS then it is worth a try if you think DS might enjoy it. Can they offer 1:1 (just initially if it isn’t required longer term) so if the group is too much he can step away?

If you don’t think the forest school is suitable have you looked at other alternative provisions? Does DS have an EHCP?

SEMH is a type of special needs, but forest schools of any type aren’t special schools, they are alternative provisions no matter what type of SEN they focus on.

Hi thanks for your reply and Info
he does have an ehcp but the school have said he should be fine to stay in ms
the teachers at the forest school sound great and it looks fun I really hope he likes it and it helps for him to have a break from the classroom

I do need to ask about 1.1 that is a good question I should have asked what the adult/child ratio is! I don’t want to sound like I don’t appreciate it or don’t trust the school’s judgement but as a mum it’s natural to worry isn’t it.
he seems to be feeling positive about it so fingers crossed!

You should request an early review of the EHCP. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

The ehcp is currently a draft and being returned by Friday!