Oh dear..............

[fedupwithla]

Ds has a fairly rare,complex condition and we have to choose a high school. I sent an enquiry to LA asking if they were aware of any schools in the county experienced in handling children with his difficulties (I know - but worth a try).
Have been advised that all local schools will make the provision specified in part 3 (just like the current school don't then). I do need to be mindful of travel implications though as I have to get him there. If we feel that staff lack understanding training can be provided!
I don't know whether to laugh or cry really......

Have you been to look at all the potential secondary schools? Did you get a good 'vibe' from any of them that they would be likely to respond positively to requests?
We have to pick secondary next year, but are looking this year. I feel sick already that the school we get may not support adequately and fail him.
I think with a lot of schools that it isn't that they lack understanding or training, just that they are stretched to the point that when something has to give, it's always our children that seem to have the rug pulled from under them

my ds has a rare condition and when i choose his primary school i didnt look for the one that had the best results when the children left to go to high school. i looked at the ofsted reports for the schools in my area and looked at the number of children they had with special needs. i decided that if they had a higher level of children with special needs then they would know how to cope with some of my son's needs (if not all) as they will have more chance of coming across them than those schools with few children with special needs. the school i chose was at the other end of town and has a lot of children from "rougher" families but its the best decision i have ever made. because there are a lot of children who need extra help my ds is not singled out as being different, the teachers are great and are willing to learn. i will be using the same method when i choose his high school although it will also depend on where his friends go, where he wants to go etc...

perhaps this is something you could look at to help you decide what high school. also ask to visit a few to have a look around and talk to the teachers. you wil then get a feel for which teachers have experience with what you need

county - after a dodgy start ( moved schools) - I opted for a primary in a more deprived area with a disability base. OFSTED quite rubbishy at the time, but exactly the right choice.
Interestingly, when I took my DS to view, he loved it and asked to start straight away - I'm a great believer in our DCs knowing where they feel right.