Update as were about to move to the new house/school....

[superfantastic]

Sorry I havent been on much at all lately, bit stressed, packing, DCs tiring me out...countdown begins one week until moving day! :) (Incase you dont know DD is 5 ASD, speech problems, got her dx last August and we are moving because we hate her school...)

So I just went to DDs review (that was supposed to be last December) at her crap School....(this will be long)......

I arrived to find an Autism advisor (not met but emailed before), the Head Teacher (never met properly before), the SENCO, DDs teacher and slightly late her new teacher/SENCO from her new school. I was a bit anxious about this meeting so decided to keep my mouth shut and see what happened.
We let DDs rubbish teacher start...she went on and on about DDs academic skills, how wonderfull and social she is, no real issues with language processing/speech, she doesnt rely on visual supports, no anxiety, always happy, a lovely girl they will miss sooo much.....AHAHAHA....I kept very quiet, they kept saying how she needed no additional support, was just like the other children.
The Autism teacher kept quiet, the Head Teacher said how we had got to know each other (liar) and DD had progressed beautifully...her new HT would be rubbing his hands with glee by year 3!...Yes she actually mentioned him by name and implied he only wanted DD as another statistic!

Luckily the new teacher was totally on the ball. She shot down the HT for making a ridiculous statement about her HT, prompted the SENCO directly to see if she had any actual input in to this meeting (she did not, just a file of reports Id given to her), asked the teacher if she had anything useful to say...like DDs areas of difficulty and how we might best support her through the transition and in the new school...and that she would expect the academic levels to be higher even though social/emotional development should be the main area of focus at reception level.
They fumbled about with weak answers, ignored my comments about DDs reactions at home then the HT congratulated the SENCO and teacher on a job well done!!
After I caught up with the new teacher outside, she immediately said she was in shock at the school and the way it was, how they didnt seem to know DD at all, were totally academicaly focused, were not aware of how to support SN, she could forsee many issues and areas of concern for DD but above all could not wait to support her properly....and in fact would have restructured her staff to give DD more continuity with TA support had we been there since September...but will do her best. She even asked about ME! How I was coping, if I had support....I said 'online support groups'. :)

WOOHOO! Im not seeing things! New teacher/SENCO totally gets it!!! Hell yeah!

If I go missing after this post (again) its because I will be setting up my internet at the new place!

Wow, that is superfantastic!!!! It must have been such a good feeling Wishing you all the best with the move.

This is fan blardy tastic. What a brilliant start. The old school shot themselves in the foot, whilst the new school saw all the issues, and will apply themselves to help dd. You couldn't have wanted a better outcome. I am so happy for you all.

Have a large later, and pack away knowing better times are coming.

I am really chuffed you have such a good result. Well done you for making this very hard decision.

Stunning, what a great goodbye. I'm liking this new school's SENCo. Keep on top of it all, superfantastic, just in case it's all words.

superfantastic your post lives up to your name!

I love how the old school completely showed themselves up!

The new SENCO sounds absolutely amazing and really interested in actually helping and supporting both you and dd, rather than just keeping up with the paperwork and towing the LEA line, which is what happens at an awful lot of schools. As Ellen said, don't let your guard down just yet though.

Well done at making such a huge decision for your familly and then staying ahead of the game to make sure it worked.

that's fab news super I guess it'll be a cheerful wave goodbye to the old school next week then! I'm sure there'll be a few hiccups at the new place to start with but the fact that they 'get it' means everything should be sorted so much more easily Good luck with the move. (tis bigcar btw)

We have already been for a lunchtime visit as the SENCO was worried about DD coping with the noise level and is aware of her slow processing of emotions. She noted the buzzing lights in the loo upset DD...they will be fixed. They have a SN unit from year 3 if we go for SA that is. We already have a SALT appointment in the 2nd week...yes the school buy in extra SALT so shes there every week! ..and she emailed me to confirm.

DD is a bit all over...talking is going downhill fast...but the SENCO is prepared for that. She is excited about teaching an autistic girl as they hadnt had any girls for a while! I saw a variety of sn children from dcs with CP to sensory issues...slippers and comfy clothes...LDs....well they take above the normal percentage of sn dcs so are well trained and equipt.

Yes it is our dream school.... :)