Private Tuition in school time

[IndigoBell]

My DS is going into year 5 when he will have swimming every week. I really want him to not do this, as there is no way he will learn to swim as he has never ever put his face into the water. Plus all the stress of the whole lesson, driving there, changing etc.

He has also made no academic progress in 2 years, so what I would really like is for him to have a private tutor (paid for by me) to teach him during this time. Does anyone know if this is legal? ( And if so, what it's called so I can use the right jargon to the SENCO).

I'm fairly sure I read something about dyslexia action being able to provide private tuition during school hours through some escape clause....

Yes, you can do it but it will be up to the head. 'Technically' for a child with SN you can do anything really, if it is to meet his needs and considered a 'reasonable adjustment' to do this.

There may be an issue with the person being on school premises though. You also need to consider that if the school allow this person they are admitting they cannot meet his needs without it which means entering the whole political arena of SN.

However, consider children who are at a base. They go out of mainstream education to somewhere to be taught seperately, and then return, so you always have that model to point to.

Well, 'underperformers' at KS2 in primary schools have had 1hr of 1-1 teaching every week for a term last academic year so I can't see them being able to object.

When I say 'underperformers' I don't mean SN though - these kids were identified as being just below the average NC levels. The 1-1 tuition was designed to bring them up to it. Not at all a cynical ploy by the government to increase levels and targets then...

I paid our private SALT to do therapy at school in school hours, btw and school did not object. Eventually, I managed to persuade the LEA to pay him.... mwah ha ha ha!

I'd bin the swimming for sure if it is going to cause hassle for DS - seems a pointless battle when there is so many more important ones to fight.

Thanks guys.

Good to hear you managed to get private SALT during school time - becasue this is a bit similair to that.

Now I just have to convince school and find a tutor :)

May be worth checking, but I thought school swimming was a compulsory part of the national curriculum? Prob best to ask on one of the education boards, I'm sure a teacher would know.

Then again, DS ended up missing swimming lessons due to timetabling, but our primary school flouted legal obligations quite a lot...

Swimming is compulsory. I'm going to play the special needs card....

I don't see why he should have to go if it will cause him stress, and he won't learn anything.

I think school will be very pleased to not take him. To me it seems a reasonable adjustment to cope with his disability :)

But you are right, I'm just dreaming. Almost certainly won't get this plan approved.

I guess it's down to whether you need it to be a 'formal' arrangement.

I'm sure something could be arranged informally, esp. if they are not that keen on taking him.

Or maybe he could have a very very long ear infection? AND a verucca.