struggling at school, thinking of changing

[pops19]

Hi. First time I've used mumsnet, so here goes! We have an 8 year old boy, just started Y4 at local school. He has verbal dyspraxia, lots of SALT since 3, now understandable, but very behind in all subjects at school. ASD has also been mentioned. He has a statement, but school not really coping with him - he isn't catching up, just lagging further behind. So, we have started looking at private schools to see if we can find one where he would get more help/attention, smaller class sizes etc. We would also love it if education could be a happy expereience, at the moment he's OK about going but not really learning anything and not enthused by anything to do with school. Thanks for any advice - particularly about how to find a good school for him!

i have no advise but welcome to mumsnet my ds is only 3 ASD so havent reached that stage yet but bumping for you as many others may be able to help x

Are they actually fulfilling the terms of his statement? If not you need to have a firm word with the SENCO.

It is possible to get the statement transfered to a private school, but it is a really hard struggle (my son isn't statement but has dyspraxia and his SENCO told me this,,he is in private)

Some private schools are very good in this sort of situation...the school that my two go to is, but some can be crap

Thank you both very much! I had to look up 'bumping' but now understand!! Not too worried about getting the statement transfered as I feel if we find the right school with teachers with experience of teaching in "different" ways, he won't need his statement - it's only 6 hours a week and is for speech and lang - which is being fulfilled, what he now needs is help across the board.

Smaller classes will be a help (they are for ds)

If you can get the statement transfered then go for it, even with the smaller classes the extra help will almost certainly mean that your ds will make more progress. My son gets 10 hours of 1 to 1 and made two years progress in reading in a year. the earlier your ds has the help the better IME.

Key is finding the right school, as yo rightly say and that may be private or state. Worth looking around and seeing what provision (if any) is offered