Any reasons as to why this school is more suitable?

[macwoozy]

Can anyone help me with coming up with reasons as to why my ds (aspergers) is more suited to a particular special needs school.
At my last statement review it was decided that ds would be suitable for the nearest MLD school, even though his grades are higher than virtually all pupils that attend there. (P levels on social, attention and organisation though)
Another school 17 miles away is perfect for him, it is also classed as a MLD school but it seems it caters for the more able child, although the LEA would disagree, but it's plain to see this is the case. The school has an entire class in every school year made up of children with aspergers, so it seems ideal for ds. But other than saying that it's more ideal for ds because he will be with similar children, I can't think of any stronger reasons or explanations as to why it would benefit him.
I know they will place him in the nearest school unless I can come up with good solid reasons why the other school is better.
So I would really appreciate if anyone could offer any reasons as to why an Aspergers child would benefit being in a class with other smilar children rather than a class made of varying special needs. Any help would be great. Thanks

How old is your ds? For example, if these are secondary schools, does one allow students to access gcses, the other only asdans? The Lea need to be able to demonstrate that the setting they offer is capable of meeting all his needs and accessing a curriculum appropriate for his academic ability is clearly an educational need.

Can you argue he needs specialist teachers - which presumably the school with the asperger's class can offer and the other cannot?

Is it possible to get some evidence from either school (prospectus, curriculum, ofsted reports or oral feedback from staff) to back up your argument that one is able to meet his needs suitably and the other not?

If you look back through previous evidence from the ed psych, camhs, current school reports are there phrases you can pick out to support your point of view?

Sorry if this seems just like firing lots of questions back at you, but I think your arguments will be more effective if you concentrate on showing that only one setting is capable of meeting his needs rather than more ideal for him as lea not under any obligation to offer the best education possible but they do have to offer a suitable education for your child.

Hope this helps a bit.

Thanks pinkorkid. Good point you make about suitable rather than ideal school, I'll bear than in mind.

Ds is 10 yrs. It is a secondary school, both offer gcses, but whereas the first school showed concern about ds's academic levels(although I would have to dispute the levels - I've been home educating for the past 10 mths and he doesn't show this ability); the second school said the academic levels weren't so important it was how he learnt. They even said they've taken on children with levels higher than ds, this certainly is not the case with the first school, but the LEA say the schools are the same academically, and I can't find any proof to show otherwise, not ofsted or prospectus.

One thing though, second school is a computer status school, they have so many computers and use them in all lessons, but isn't that the case with most schools? Ds is a whizz on the computer and feels happiest when he's tapping away. Is that a worthy reason to push for second? The first is a specialist sports school and ds hates sports. I don't really know if this is relevant.

I will go through his statement and see if I can pick out any suitable phrases. Good idea.

Ds is a highly anxious child and does need the support of specialist teachers who can understand and help him. I suppose this would be a good argument.

I think you need reasons why the other school (the one they are proposing) can't meet his needs rather than the other way round.

I'm not saying that your DS is malicious or a bully or anything like that. But some, and I stress some children with Aspergers Syndrome can act in a way that is perceived as bullying towards others of different abilities because of Theory of Mind. You could tell them that you were concerned about this happening?

If your son is statemented, the LA should name your choice of school provided that it's suitable for his needs and it's an efficient use of resources (i.e. there is not a cheaper suitable option).

Pinkorkid is right that the LA do not have to provide the 'best' education, but rather a 'suitable' one. But your right to name a school on his statement is very strong and the LA has to show that your choice is unsuitable/more costly rather than you showing them that your choice is the right one.

If they are both special schools, it's unlikely that one will cost more than the other unless the LA is including the cost of transport to the more distant school. You can, however, agree to cover transport costs to your preferred school, which will make the cost of both placements equal.

The other way to win your placement is to show that your preferred school is the only suitable school. I think you could show this in your situation as the schools are very different.

Access to a suitable peer group and to a suitable curriculum are both valid reasons why a school is suitable or not. The specialist status of the schools will be of lesser importance.

You need to get more information from both schools about their results. I wrote letters to both schools asking questions like:

• Breakdown of GCSE results and subjects (often this isn't available on the DSCF website as special schools have small cohorts so the results aren't published, be careful as some special schools do Entry Level GCSEs which are graded below standard GCSEs)

• Number of current students with AS

• No. of staff members with additional qualifications and experience in SEN/ASD

• GCSE options available (you may find the first school doesn't offer any GCSEs if many of their pupils are on P Levels)

• What ASD specific teaching strategies are employed at the school

• What are the destinations of school leavers from the school (college, work etc)

• What is the academic and cognitive profile of the students attending the school

• Copy of SEN policy, Admissions Policy, Curriculum Policy

You can ask these questions in person by visiting the school as well, but it's best to get it in writing as evidence.

You can also pull out quotes from Ofsted reports/their website/prospectus. The Ofsted will usually allude to levels of achievement by saying something like 'Records show that when students join X School their starting points are very much lower than those typical for their ages'. If your DS is achieving age-appropriate levels (or just below) then you can argue that he would not have an appropriate peer group with those students so he would not be able to progress in his social skills.

Does your DS have any recent assessment results to show his NC levels and has he seen an EP recently? We had an independent EP visit our choice of school and the school where the LA wanted my DS to go and he was able to write a report saying why the LA's choice wasn't suitable. Our choice was an indpendent school though, your LA may not fight your choice too much if both are LA special schools.

Just realised how long this post is, oops . I went through a similar process last year (DS is Yr 7 now) so it's all very fresh in my mind!

Thank you for all your advice, sorry I couldn't reply earlier but not always easy getting online.
Now I feel I can approach it from the right angle.
sugarcandymonster, wow! that's really helpful. I'm going to write to both schools including all the points you've raised. Thank you