School GRRRRRRRRRR

[coff33pot]

Well my school relationship is at the current scale of zero after today.

Trying to integrate DS to FT. First 2 days this week fine. Today he was back hiding in the cupboard out of the classroom as I arrived. Clearly stressed out. He refused to walk back with me to get his coat etc but that I expected seeing as he wouldnt be in the cupboard if he wanted to be in the class.

I walk round and find the senco following me. We are now in the hall with other teachers, parents etc walking about and so she chooses to talk about DS with all and sundry about. Not a good start.

I get told perhaps we go back to the previous time of pick up as it is not working. I replied I disagree as he has to get used to staying and altering two and fro will confuse him more. Plus if we go back then he will know that if he hides I will come get him earlier so it isnt going to do anyone any favours. I want to go forwards not backwards.

I then get the "he must conform to stay in the class or it wont work"

I ask the question is he having sensory diet now. The heavy muscle work, excercise etc alternating between periods that require heavy concentration on his part. The answer was no, but he is having small peer group work.

I ask are you still keeping him shut in the classroom all morning. The answer was yes. And so I say ok you are keeping him in the class all morning, letting him out for ONE play, then expecting him to have small group work, then normal class again with no excercise no sensory diet as put in the statement and still expect him to read, write and maths and not be upset that he is overloaded and has to stay an extra 30 mins on top and for this he has to "conform" to go back in class after dinner with no dinner time play and complete one class lesson. Yes was the answer.

I said that surely it is more important that he gets used to staying longer to full time before you put more demands on him as in class learning. And if the school actually did the excercise and diet stuff then maybe you will have a child that is not so stressed out.

Answer: We have nowhere to do 1 to 1 in the afternoons. He is going backwards.

I have told them that he is entitled to a FT education and suggested then, that if they want me to pick him up after dinner then they are excluding him.

I got a "I am in the middle of a meeting, whatever you decide tomorrow I dont care" and off she walked.

If it continues, contact a solicitor for legal aid in your child's name and do a letter before action for judicial review.

It is what I should have done rather than waste nearly a year with the LGO.

We have a new school but the same old failure of provision from the LA. They act with impunity so take advice and move to judicial review if they drag their feet.

Don't forget the Equality Act too. If provision has been awarded through the SEN framework and it constitutes 'reasonable adjustments' for a disability, then the school and/or LA can be guilty of disability discrimination if it results in a substantial disadvantage to the child (substantial means more than minor or trivial and disadvantage can include upset or loss of opportunity) without reasonable justifications.

Thank you for that very valuable information AT much appreciated.

I have scouted through paperwork and I do have it in writing in a school report that PT was provisional and the aim is FT once statement finalised so that is something.

I will send the email in a sec with a request of a phone call to make a meeting. cc the HT which she wont like but I am clearly getting nowhere talking to her. Then phone the LA tomorrow afternoon if I dont get a phone call asking for a meeting date.

Agree with AT -I, too, should have sent a letter before judicial review instead of wasting time with LGO.

Also keep in mind that JR here relates to child's rights and can be brought in child's name and usually eligible for Legal Aid.

Thanks trying :)

Well long winded email sent and cc HT. See what happens tomorrow.

School know he has got maudsley appt in 3 weeks and they keep saying we will await the outcome of that. It still wont change the statement apart from maybe adding on a few more bits on review. Statement is only dealing with the bear minimum at the moment based on current reports and if they cant do that they will hardly do any more.

Right got to go and de stress or I am in for a sleepless night. DS is still awake bless him. I have arranged his recent mate to come to tea tomorrow so we are going to have a bit of Harry time

Well an update for all those that gave me great advice :)

I had an immediate response to my email from LA. HT/senco was cc'd also but as I expected no response from that direction but at least it is all open and transparent as I also put the full details of my convo with the school in it.

LA phoned me as promised today and asked if I had a timetable showing where each provision is to be done during the day to which I said no.

Asked if I was picking him up early again to which I said no I refuse to. Was advised if they should call me to collect, ask the school if and where they are documenting this officially before you agree to take him out.

Has decided in first instance to phone HT and then have a meeting together with all concerned in DS care including OT if necessary. Also talking of doing a statement review now which I dont know what the outcome will be seeing as this was only done in Dec and none of it implemented to date so what they can alter I dont know.

Sad thing is I worked out there is only about 13 weeks teaching time left till summer hols and doubtfull if anything will benefit DS :( but at least any other child in future with SN may benefit in the long run.

I think the school have to do a statement review before any transition, so that's probably why it's such a short time since the last. Is his proposed junior school named on it yet?

They sound like such a bunch of tossers, coff33. Well done on fighting them on this, the greater good and all that. I hope your DS actually gets some benefit himself. At least the LA sound supportive on this point.

The LA I have to say have been great. I have always dealt with the same woman and fortunately she knows his history so that helps a lot and I have kept them up to date with any referrals he has had in the meantime. Also she has personally spoke to DS on the phone bless him when he answered it and commented on what a lovely boy he sounds :)

His next school is on the statement already because once I found out Juniors said they didnt want him when I tried to ring them for an appointment to discuss sen facilities, I phoned the LA for advice immediately and they speedily issued a amended statement with their name one it

She is also aware he is in for a hard time at this school and is expecting to go through it all again with them so I am lucky to have her support at this time.

She phoned HT and she at a meeting (theres a thing) but will be phoning back later in day and LA promised to phone me tonite to tell me outcome so so far so good :)

I am getting the silent treatment at school and to be quite honest it is HEAVEN.

ok.........I got a call back. HT has agreed it would be good idea to have a meeting (which has made me suspicious) She has apparently/alledgedly said its "all working fine" he has some good days and bad and the school are working towards having him back FT.......

LA did not discuss the contents of the letter today.

Meeing wont be until well after they return from easter :(

I asked the question................In the meantime prior to this meeting, are they now going to start the provision in the statement? This couldnt be answered as like she said she had not discussed the contents of letter. But will ring them again after weekend.

HT has suggested I meet with her to discuss how its all working and about his transition to Juniors......to which I advised LA as far as it goes any meeting prior to the one she is making is totally pointless seeing as I have had so many of them and that all I am interested in is that is she NOW going to act upon the statement. I really have nothing else to talk about.

tbh I dont think I can be as polite as I have been and I will shoot myself in the foot if I lose it so emails and a paper trail are my way forward.

I have an awful nigging feeling that I will go to this meeting they will prove that shutting him in is a good idea and everything on this statement is going to get altered in this so called review. I am ususally right in assumptions unfortunately :( Trying to get OT to come to meeting to plead my case for DS that is my only back up at the moment but she is away.

He had a great day today so I got told. No learning just sat in corner playing with cars............they call it freetime....