Hi
My ds (4.7) has speech and language delay due to glue ear. There is a ? over possible asd, but certainly there are social interaction issues going on at the moment. He's also a bolter with little or no awareness of road safety right now. Obviously we've been worried about him starting school in September and we didn't get our first choice (we were surprised), but got our second. I hadn't seen the school but dp had and it has a good reputation for SN and all round.
Anyway, before the annual review at nursery re top up funding with new school SENCO I went to look round. Lovely school in lots of ways and SENCO seemed ok. But... in the early years section, there was an outdoor play area which looked great but had only 2 low gates with bolts at waist height. I thought that ds would get through those in about 3 seconds, but thought well, he'd only get out into the school playing field so no big problem. I mentioned it to the SENCO and she looked a bit concerned and explained that the playing field led right round the school to the main gate which wasn't kept locked. Ds is pretty speedy and doesn't look back, I reckon in about 90 seconds he could be off the premises. His language delay means it's impossible to be sure he's got that he shouldn't go somewhere.
The SENCO seemed to get this and suggested a higher fence around the early years section, which is great. But at break and lunch, when they are free to play in the grounds, he could easily run off. and there would be around 480 kids all over the place so not easily kept an eye on. I'm feeling really unhappy about sending him there now and wondering how I make a huge fuss about the whole security of the place. And I then thought how mad it was that they have brand spanking new state of the ate signing in system with photos and badges at reception but that anyone could walk up the main drive, go round the playing fields and be able to get to the early years playground.
Anyway, I'd appreciate your views on what I should do... anyone faced anything similar or experience of the security in other schools would be appreciated. Sorry it's so long.