advice please

[cheeryface]

after starting high school and being very unhappy, mainly i think due to the environment of the school and some bullying, my son has stopped making any effort in class.
the school are having him observed by an sen they say.
what will they be looking for ?
what will happen ?
can anyone help ?

Transition to secondary school after the relative cosiness of junior school is a big step and not all children adjust well.

the Sen will be the SENCO = Special Educational Needs Coordinator. Every school has one.

Schools are duty bound to identify, assess and support any special educational needs - which can include the types of difficulties your son is displaying e.g. his unhappines and lack of effort due to the bullying etc.

Ask the SENCO to place him on Schools Action - a form of first level support and to draw up with you an IEP (Individual Education Plan that will set targets agaisnt which any improvement can be monitored. It wil also help you to detect whether the problem is getting better / worse, at which point additional support may be required.

But it strikes me that he has good reason to feel distressed - he is being bullied and that is totally unaccptable and something the school needs to stamp on fast. Only you can help him here by getting tough with school and getting them to nip this in the bud before it continues throughout his remaining time at school.

If one particular child is bullying him I wouldwrite (not speak or phone) to school naming that child and demandng action is taken. School must respod to a letter - aphone callthey could deny receiving.

By writing you are placing your complaint on file shouldthe bullying continue or escalate. Please don't underestimate the efffect of bullying. I'm stilldealing with the aftermath of my son's experiences almost a decade later.

Best wishes