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SN children

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Original poster

Meeting with school NOT gone well :(

25 replies

Becaroooo · 04/10/2011 12:48

So. Meeting with HT, teacher and SENco (not the usual one, one who has come out of retirement due to uausl one being on sick leave) to discuss EP Report on ds1 which we commissioned last month.

They think report is good, lots of recommendations most of which they feel they are already doing and that ds1 is making good progress.

I think its a dreadful report....vague recommedations not targeted to ds1 at all.

The HT then said that the EP had not dx dyslexia but had suggested it as "likely".

He will get no 1-1 despite that being one of the recommendations (SENco not around) and when I told her we were also doing an SP programme at home 10 mins a day things got very frosty!!!!

HT: "I dont know why you comissioned this report!" just because I dont agree with every single thing in it???

He is being seen by the spld team next month and is starting a S&L group at school next week but thats it, basically.

He is in year 4. His reading is 1a and his writing is 1b. They are pleased with his progress (he has made progress but its very slow)

Ds1 is happy at this school - which is a big thing after his last experience! -so do I just write off the next 2 years and hope for better at the new school and keep doing extra work with him at home??

Am really really fed up :(

OP posts:

AttilaTheMeerkat · 04/10/2011 13:17

Don't write off the next two years and keep working with DS at home.

TBH I'd be now looking at applying for a statement if you think 1 to 1 is required.

IndigoBell · 04/10/2011 14:28

zzzzz · 04/10/2011 15:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Becaroooo · 04/10/2011 15:16

I think I may do zzzz We paid £600 and frankly its not worth the paper its written on!

Will contact them and see what they say.

Will keep working the ds1 at home...just cant understand the hostility from the HT about the work we are doing at home....they cant provide 1-1 but I can

OP posts:

zzzzz · 04/10/2011 15:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Becaroooo · 04/10/2011 15:24

If he wasnt happy I would take him out.

But he is.

Sigh.

OP posts:

lec0rnsillk · 04/10/2011 16:31

£600! I agree with zzz - ask EP for the reasons why they haven't dxed dyslexia if they are stating that it is 'likely' - that sounds very wishy-washy. You've paid enough!

lec0rnsillk · 04/10/2011 16:32

...also sounds like you have touched a nerve with school with regards to the work at home- don't worry about that, it's not always a bad thing.

Original poster

Becaroooo · 04/10/2011 16:36

Have e mailed the EP so will see....

Not worried about touching a nerve Just really surprised by the attitude. I comissioned the report...I paid for it....I have every right to think its a pile of crapola!

I have been thinking and am coming to the conclusion that the HT thinks it a good report because it basically says the school are doing everything they can (they arent) no 1-1, no specific targeted help for his dyslexia etc etc

OP posts:

lec0rnsillk · 04/10/2011 16:41

yes you're probably spot on!

bochead · 04/10/2011 17:30

His poor academic scores give him a better shot at a statement than some ; ) If he doesn't have one apply today as secondary applications are done in year 5 instead of the normal 6 for statemented kids.

Don't ever let anyone put you off trying to help your OWN child at home - ffs that's silly of the HT.

Yes, if you aren't happy with summat you've forked out £600 for you are entitled to say so. If it were a washing machine you'd have sent it back to the shop as poor service is poor service no matter the industry. Did you get a face to face post report with the EP?

Original poster

Becaroooo · 04/10/2011 18:17

bochead I am going to apply for a statement in year 5 if things continue how they are...with the schools support or not (i.e. not)

Am just really at the schools attitude...they cant do 1-1 but I can...so what the problem??

Have e mailed the EP so will see what happens...not expecting anything but am glad I made my views clear.

OP posts:

Original poster

Becaroooo · 04/10/2011 18:20

Also, the HT keeps saying that by the end of year 5 she is confident he will be scoring 4's.

how???????

He is a 1a now...so...at least 7 sub levels progress in 6 terms??

I think I must be very dense because I cannot see that happening (although as was pointed out at the meeting, I am not a professional)

OP posts:

tryingtokeepintune · 04/10/2011 19:06

Did you get to see the report before it was finalised? We had a meeting after the school assessment where I gave my opinion on what was wrong etc. We were also invited to comment on the report before it was finalised. Did you get a chance?

Also how can HT say that they are doing that is recommended when 1:1 was recommended and is now being ignored. Can you apply for a statement saying that it has been recommended by the EP.

Agree with other posters - continue to work with your child at home and use school for social skills etc.

bochead · 04/10/2011 20:07

Please apply for a statement now. It takes 6 months, IF you are in total agreement with the lea all the way through.

If not - well my lads was finalised in March, (after a 6 month wait) tribunal November and then it be January before it's all implemented :( Other Mums warned me to expect it to take 18 months, this isn't untypical. I just think its so important to at least try and get the basics sorted (statement in place diagnosis, description of needs) before secondary if at all possible.

chatee · 04/10/2011 21:10

please apply now for the statement...reasons

you have enough evidence
your lea will mess you around and delay timescales as long as they can
annual reviews for children going to secondary school placements are talked about in year 5 with the statement written and agreed by feb 15th in year 6 (see the sen code of practise)

If you don't do it now - it will be a case of year 7 waiting for new school to 'get to know' child and difficulties and preparing reports and evidence and then will be year 8 before statement request will be made, so worse case scenario year 9 before anything is in place

Original poster

Becaroooo · 05/10/2011 11:31

Sigh.

Went to bed to sleep on it.

Got up angrier than I was yesterday.

E mailed the HT to clarify that ds1 has in fact been dx as dyslexic by the EP.

Also said that PP will attend any future meeting with me.

The school will block any attempt for me to get a statment...she told me yesterday he doesnt meet the criteria (I am not sure this is true)

Isnt there a bit in the SENCOP that states children have to make "adequate progress" i.e. 2 sub levels per year?

They are saying ds1 wont get 1-1 as the SENco is on long term sick leave but it didnt happen when she was there last term either!!

He has been at this school since Nov last year and has gone up 1 sub level in reading, 1 in maths and none in writing.

As far as they are concerned they are happy with his progress.

Will post the e mail I sent.............

OP posts:

Original poster

Becaroooo · 05/10/2011 11:43

e mail to HT:

Dear HT,

I am writing to clarify that ds1 has indeed been diagnosed with dyslexia by Mrs (Ed Psych). There seemed to be some confusion yesterday. I e-mailed ICPS and their reply states;
" In ds1's case, Mrs 's report confirms that ds1 has dyslexia".

I hope this is satisfactory.

I was very shocked at the hostility I encountered yesterday for daring to disagree with some aspects of a professional's opinion and that I had the temerity to express those doubts to you.

I do not have a PGCE of course, but as for my qualifications, I have been ds1's mum for nearly 8.5 years and I feel that gives me a fair insight into his problems and needs.

Your school cannot provide the 1-1 my son needs (as stated in Mrs *'s report). I can. And will.

In future meetings I will be asking Parent Partnership to attend with me. Hopefully that will keep any future meetings on a more polite and respectful level.

Regards,

OP posts:

IndigoBell · 05/10/2011 11:49

I think this email is fine.

Doesn't solve any of your problems though :(

Original poster

Becaroooo · 05/10/2011 11:50

Nope

OP posts:

wasuup3000 · 05/10/2011 12:24

Quote the law

"The 1996 Education Act says:
? The governing body?shall?use their best endeavours?to secure that, if any registered pupil has special educational needs, the special educational provision which his learning difficulty calls for is made.?
(Section 317 (1)(a))
?The Secretary of State shall issue?a code of practice giving practical guidance in respect of the discharge by local education authorities and the governing bodies?of their functions under this Part of the Act. It shall be the duty of local education authorities, and such governing bodies?to have regard to the provisions of the code.?
(Section 313 (1) & (2))

Check out the advice sheets on IPSEA

wasuup3000 · 05/10/2011 12:25

What the Code of Practice Says
?A child with special educational needs should have their needs met?
(Paragraph 1:5)
?LEAs, schools and settings (should) work together to ensure that any child‟s special educational needs are identified early.?
(Paragraph 1:6)

Original poster

Becaroooo · 05/10/2011 12:32

thanks wassup but I dont see how it will help...the senco is on long term sick and she wasnt much cop anyway

the school say he cant have 1-1 as there is no one to provide it.

he is on a table with 5 other dc and the hlta sits on the table with them every morning. He also gets 20 x mins 3 x per week group phonics and they have said he will be joining the s&l group too ( no idea why - nothing wrong with his speech or language!)

sorry for typing - ds2 having a cuddle!

OP posts:

wasuup3000 · 05/10/2011 12:36

The school have a legal duty they are breaking the law, complain to the governors and the LEA that is how it will help. x

LIZS · 05/10/2011 12:44

I agree with going back to EP. Firstly to clarify the points they believe are vague and that you aren't happy with the detail on and secondly to ask for his/her support in tackling the school's attitude. The one we had for ds has wirtten two reports and was more than happy to discuss her draft with me and re-write sections which we felt needed further explanation. She also spoke direct tot he school when they claimed not to umderstand what she was getting at or choosing to interpret it in a particular way . Please don't dismiss its value yet.

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