Sugar and other `residential school mums `

[jiggles01]

My DS-11 will start residential school next month -he has SLi. While I wouldnt say he is looking forward to it` ,he has reminded me to do his activity forms and wanted to fill them all out himself and has never said anything negative about it -he has been so brave and we are so proud of him -
sugar I know you are going through the same thing so .........
My questions -how have/did you prepare them ? -we have got lots of things from home to bring photos etc -.Did they take long to settle? were there many tears? ,and how long did it take YOU to get use to it (if at all ! )Are there any tips you could give .

It is weekly boarding ,home friday ,back sunday eve .He is the youngest of 4 sons and my baby .I am still trying to get my head around all this and still feel this can`t be happening
tia x

Jiggles, I still don't have the amended statement yet! The LA has two weeks to change the name of the school which ran out today, but no word so I need to chase them up tomorrow. The school can't really send me any information until the funding is signed etc. so I don't have any information at the moment

I know what you mean about getting used to the idea. DS has only stayed with relatives before and for short periods. It will be so strange (and quiet!) without him here.

Has your son spent much time at the school? DS did an overnight assessment and also visited a couple of times first, so he's fairly comfortable with the idea now.

I know DS can decorate his own room there so I've bought some more Dr Who bedding and poster to match his at home. I plan to get some photos printed of the family. And I'm going to give his mailing address to friends/family so they can write him a little good luck card to receive at his new address!

We got our statement about 4 weeks after agreement and I was on tender hooks until we got it!
I was nervous in case they changed their minds as ours was agreed before tribunal.

He stayed for 2 days and 1 night -assessment -and gave it 10/10 but that was in March ,we also went and met his teacher and buddy 2 weeks ago and he was cool about it

Is yours weekly boarding also ? and will get taxi transport? is it very far? We are still waiting for the transport team to come and assess him to see how he travels etc ... as you say nothing can be sorted till funding agreed.

The school will be getting skype in Oct so he is looking forward to that ,and he has never had a mobile so another plus.
Hopefully you will get something tomorrow x

Still no word from the LA (sigh). I'm terrified that they'll try to appeal against the tribunal decision, I won't rest easy until he's settled into the school!

I know another parent whose child is at the school and she's kindly sent me the uniform list and policies, so at least I have a bit more idea of what to expect.

DS will come home every other weekend - the school views the weekend activities as part of their social skills training and they go out to activities with their support workers. I'm told I can expect a taxi (it's 80 miles and I'm still learning to drive so can't do it myself). I'm worried about how he'll travel though, he's not really used to cars as we don't have one and has been carsick in the past.

Sounds like your school has a good transition plan, especially with meeting the teacher.