Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Original poster

More school problems

26 replies

hanaka88 · 20/11/2011 06:58

DSs school is just a nightmare. After a year and a term of them saying they could meet his needs I finally decided to try and get him into a special school. Hopefully if he gets in (he has a strong case) he will be moving in January.

Anyway last Friday morning I was asked to have a meeting with the head. He wants DS to only do half days, I had to agree to this as the other option was exclusion. He says this will only happen while I'm off work (off sick as I chopped my thumb off) then he can go back full time but will probably just be excluded every day (therefore no money for me).

I feel really done over as I asked them constantly for a year if they could cope, they said they could and now, with only a month left, have decided they dont want him there.

They never follow advice, won't use resources in case 'other children think he's different' his behaviour at home is good mostly (but then I follOw advice)

I'm really worried about losing my wage as I am a single parent and this is our only source of income :(

OP posts:
EllenJaneisnotmyname · 20/11/2011 12:21

What a bunch of tossers. Angry Basically, they know he'll be leaving soon so they are giving up on him. I don't know the legal ins and outs, but hopefully someone will be able to help.

Also, YOU CHOPPED YOUR THUMB OFF!?!

Original poster
hanaka88 · 20/11/2011 12:24

Not completely off I didn't chop through the bone. It's all sewn back on now Grin

Yeh that's basically it. It's only a month left of term so I dont get why they're doing this now

OP posts:
Triggles · 20/11/2011 13:13

I presume they've put their "suggestion" in writing? If not, I would request it. That usually highlights quite quickly whether or not what they are doing could get them in legal difficulty. Anything remotely dodgy usually results in either a refusal to put it in writing or a quick change in their plans. Hmm

And OUCH! to the thumb injury!!

appropriatelytrained · 20/11/2011 13:18

This would constitute an illegal exclusion. The grounds for excluding children are clear and the correct procedure has to be followed. This school is trying to avoid going through the process and trying to effect an exclusion by the 'back door'.

I would seek advice from ACE who have a dedicated exclusion line.

If he has a statement, you could get the local authority involved.

You could aslo complain to the governors about this practice.

Original poster
hanaka88 · 20/11/2011 13:40

Thanks everyone. Things is the parent partnership lady was there and she said if I wanted to avoid exclusion this is my only option

OP posts:
IndigoBell · 20/11/2011 13:49

Let them exclude him now while you're off work.

If they exclude him for more than 5 days you can appeal to the governors and do everything really formally.

They'll lose the formal part because they haven't been doing things by the book.

Then by the time you're better, they'll have to take him back to school. :)

Ring ACE and get proper advice.

uniCorny · 20/11/2011 13:51

does he have a statement?

Original poster
hanaka88 · 20/11/2011 13:52

Yes he gets 25 hours 1:1

OP posts:
uniCorny · 20/11/2011 13:57

You could speak to the LEA as they (the LEA) are legally required to ensure that ds gets the provision listed on the statement.

Original poster
hanaka88 · 20/11/2011 14:02

Thanks I'll give them a call. Panel for new school is the 23rd I'm praying he will get in

OP posts:
uniCorny · 20/11/2011 14:04
Original poster
hanaka88 · 20/11/2011 14:17

Thank you. I want him in the school for behaviour but when I visited the autism school they said they would go and do his speech and language so he would be getting the best of both.

OP posts:
uniCorny · 20/11/2011 14:51

sounds good - hope you get the result you need for ds.Smile
I'm wondering whether this recent development with school could be used as further evidence to demonstrate that his needs can't be met in mainstream. Perhaps you could ask your caseworker to pass the information on to the panel.

Original poster
hanaka88 · 20/11/2011 14:58

She has done :) that's one good thing at least

OP posts:
uniCorny · 20/11/2011 14:59
Smile
tryingtokeepintune · 20/11/2011 17:52

Agree with other posters about checking with ACE and other charities.

About Parent Partnership - I had one who gave me incorrect advice - twice.

There are quite strict procedures to follow especially in excluding children with disabilities. And definitely second the opinion to get request in writing as it would make it easier to show school cannot cope (in case the change their mind before panel meeting),

Hope your thumb is better.

Original poster
hanaka88 · 20/11/2011 19:15

Thankyou tryingtokeepintune. I didn't even consider that I'd be given the wrong advice :S

OP posts:
Lougle · 20/11/2011 19:31

You MUST make them formally exclude your DS. If he is over 5, he MUST be in full-time education, unless you are HE.

If they send him home at lunch time each day, that counts as a half-day exclusion.

you can read about it here

In part, you have to play the long game. A panel who is looking at a child who has been excluded from MS school may look much more favourably on the SS place than one without.

Original poster
hanaka88 · 21/11/2011 09:57

Well just took him in the main entrance (which I tried to explain but he didn't understand) he hyperventilated cried and held on to me. I asked what work he had to do this afternoon and was told he may not get any today as the class teacher was off sick. What are the other children doing then? Confused

OP posts:
XxAlisonxX · 21/11/2011 10:10

sorry to jump in but im currently in a similar position ( apart from the thumb ouch!!!) my ds1 is on half days only untill they break up for xmas we have been like this now since the oct half term, the school have said they cant cope with his behaviour anymore and this was my only option to prevent permanment exclusion. I will find out on the 3/12 if they are going to assess for statementing. they want me to agree into sending him to a PRU unit for 12 weeks while they make there mind up on what they are going to do with him. I really dont want him to go there for its not the best place for him but iv no other choice aparently untill the decision for a SEN is made, if they do then we can look at SS for him, if they dont they are wanting to send him to the PRU and then onto a key stage 4 ETHOS thing. im so stressed out and worried over this and whats going to happen with my ds education.

Original poster
hanaka88 · 21/11/2011 11:07

Oh no. Can anyone help Alison?? :( that sounds so hard

OP posts:
XxAlisonxX · 21/11/2011 12:44

well aparently not, due to the fact that they are in the process of the SEN and iv now got to wait untill they have a decision and they decide on what the best course of action is for him. x

tryingtokeepintune · 21/11/2011 13:06

Alison - it is better to start a fresh thread cos you'll get more help.

Does your child have a disability?

Sorry but my experience only extends to children with disabilities and SSEN. Have you called ACE?

Just at thought - the present situation should make it easier for you to get a statement shouldn't it? I assume it is all recorded.

XxAlisonxX · 21/11/2011 23:59

hiya again i did start a thread but it must have slipped past never mind, my ds has ODD, CD. yes the school is all for the SEN now.!!! since the schools main aim now is to remove him asap

tryingtokeepintune · 22/11/2011 00:19

Alison - please call ACE for more advice about exclusion.

Has school formally asked you to take him home? Do you have written records? Is it written down somewhere that they are going to send him to the PRU unit?

Is there Parent Partnership in your area? Are they any good?

Have you seen the PRU unit? If not, maybe you should visit it so that if you want to reject it, you can appear to have at least considered it.

Also try SOS!SEN and IPSEA for advice. I am not sure about the next 12 weeks but during the statementing process, you should get as many helpful reports as possible to back up your request. Eg. an Ed Psych could assess and suggest the type of setting which would be suited to your child etc.

Sorry I cannot be of more help.