WAY behind in maths

[EmmsR]

our Y6 10 yr old is a creative and bright kid, level 5 English but only level 2 in maths and making REALLY slow progress in her group of 15 taught by deputy head. She cant yet tell the time for example. should I insist she's tested by the senco cos of her maths progress. She's also quite chaotic, disorganised and messy. They say she's not the only one and its because of lots of staff sickness earlier in the juniors and various supply teachers but that doesn't account for her continued struggles does it? any thoughts?

It sounds as though school are totally failing to identify, assess and support her difficulties - all statutory duties placed on them under Education Law.

Maths difficulties may be one big worry but the other behaviours you've described also warrant investigation and support.

Don't believe school's ridiculous excuses. Schools usually try to fob parents off initially as support costs them money so it's easier for them to ignore it.

On the face of it she had demonstrated longterm difficulties with Maths. I would ask SENCO to call in the Ed Pysch to investigate why this should be. If SENCO won't do this then you can make your own request directly to the EP. Meanwhile she should be on Schools Action - the first level of SEN support with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) detailing all her difficulties and what additional support school is putting in place to help her, with set targets and review dates.

Best wishes

thanks for that x ive phoned to ask to speak to maths teacher - gulp... shes calling back...

Good luck

spoke to teacher - shes going to discuss it with Senco and get back to me - ive asked for an Ed psych assessment too and we need to get an eye test done...

Sounds very positive.

senco recommends I speak to GP which I'm doing today 'might be a quicker process'.

You are probably best discussing your concerns directly with your GP, who can initiate any necessary assessments. SENCO should also be doing her bit too by calling in the Ed Pysch to observe your child at school. If SENCO won't do this then you are free to contact the Ed Pysch yourself and make a self-referral for your child.

Best wishes

Dr wont refer her - says its schools responsibility. I've told school and said i want her assessed by Ed psych. They said she has 7 months left and it may not go through in time - may be better to let secondary deal with it - I said I still wanted it please - she mentioned paying to see an Ed psych - I prob wont hear anything till jan now. Im concerned about daughters memory and that shes not retaining the stuff she's been learning in maths.
Its back in the hands of the SENCO!

Emma

That's ridicuolus!

Dr probably cannot refer your DD to Ed Pysch - but you can self refer. i wouldn't leave it to the SENCO as she's as good as said that she's just waiting for her to move onto secondary.

But GP could and should be refrring you to a Paediatrician for an assessment as to what may be causing you DD's difficulties. The school could refer you to the Community Paed (a very general paediatrician) or again you can contact the Comm paed and self-refer.

What I wouldn't do is just let matters rest until she starts secondary. If she's struggling now she'll struggle even worse in a large secondary school. Your current school is being very lazy and need a good kicking.

I dont know if we can self refer to ed psych in Brum. Senco is now referring us to comm paed- doesn't know how long it'll be. Considering getting a private ed psych assessment done but it costs and can't afford. I just want her tested by a professional incase there are issues that haven't been picked up - I feel really guilty though cos she's an amazing little lady and I feel like I'm doing all this behind her back! Thanks so much wetaugust for the advice x

Hmmm - Brum - not the easiest LA to deal with.

I would definitely recommend a private assessment. It will go into much more depth than the LA's Ed Pysch's would and would give you an independant view. You can then use that information to push things forward.

Comm Paed is a bit of a jack of all trades. You may have to ask for a secondary referral to a specialist Paed.

I would follow up your conversation with the SENCO put writing a letter to school detailing what you discussed and what you've been promised - otherwise thses things tend to slide.

Best wishes and please let us know how things progress.

Ok will do thanks x

you CAN self refer, just ring up the educational psychology dept at your local education authority/council and say you want to self refer. I did that and the ed psych rang the head of my son's school the next day saying she had a window to see him two weeks later!

got to speak to Ed Psych drop in called 'family lives' . It was very much about managing her behaviour and getting her to do hwk at home. They gave me the ADHD tick sheet to fill in but didnt really look at it or refer to it (i have to say it looked pretty bad though when i looked at it - (the inattention bits rather that hyperactive) . They were very helpful with ideas but cos it was just me there, no diagnosis. They did say about getting a referal to paed though which school have made and i'm still waiting...