DS2 - are school (SENCO) doing enough? is there a problem?

[LittleRedVan]

DS2 is 8, in year 3. I have wondered if he has adhd mainly because of his huge levels of energy and impulsiveness. School have concerns, and have done an internal assessment, which they say shows he needs some suppport, but doesn't as yet require external assessment.

His current attainment is still lower than when he joined the junior school, but higher than in the winter term, so he is progressing. However, it is likely he will finish the year at the same levels as where he started iyswim. His year 3 teacher says he cannot believe the levels he came to the school with - they were far too high for what he is showing in class.

Now, the SENCO says that DS2 is bright, able to focus and is engaged in lessons, and while he can be easily distracted, is learning. His teacher says that he is bright, but cannot get him to do any work. Once the children go off to work independently, he has to frequently go over to keep DS on track, and described him as 'frustating' in the classroom, because he just doesn't get stuff done.

So, what to do? SENCO essentialy saying he's not too bad, has instigated a few little things to help him. Class teacher suggesting that he is a right pita, and that also the mix of the class (they were jumbled up as they went into year 3) is really not helping - there are loads of noisy, silly children making it hard to get a good work ethic going.

Is the SENCO minimising problems? How long do I continue assuming that DS is immature and that it will resolve in time - as all his previous teachers have said? Having had an older DS go into year 9 at seniors this year, I know that contrary to some views, year 6 SATs results are important for predicting GCSE results, so I don't want DS2 to have lower levels if they don't reflect his ability, just because I haven't got in top of things that might be causing him to underachieve.

Sorry, that was a bit long

I can only speak from my own experience but Dd3 had inflated SATS results from yr2 especially for writing.

I moved her to a new school at the end of yr 3 because she was very unhappy and the new school have been picking up the pieces from the inflated results every since.

I think there could be a difference between what the SENCO is saying and what the teacher is saying because the SENCO is probably working with children with more significant needs on a day to day basis whereas the teacher is only comparing him to the class.

However, having said that, if he is not reaching his potential then he needs more support.

If you want them to sing from the same song sheet maybe you should arrange a meeting with them both at the same time. they might get there acts toghter and have a conversation about your Ds before they meet with you.

I wouldnt leave it, time flies in Key stage 2.

Our secondary dont use the SATS results to predict the GCSE results though, they do their own CAT tests at the beginning of yr 7. They only use the SATs results as a guide for which sets to place the yr7's in. All schools are different though.

Good luck

Thanks INMP.

I have tried getting a meeting with them both, but it seems very hard. It looks like next term would be the earliest, and as you say, time is flying.

I get what you are saying about the SENCO having more significant issues to deal with on a daily basis, so a different perspective. I have to say though, that DS2's teacher did present a pretty bad picture of how DS operates in the classroom, and from looking at his books, they are full of 'I can't read this', 'write this again', 'you need to complete this', 'you didn't get much done' comments from his teacher.

It looked to me like DS2 isn't getting on with it, and when he does, it can't be read anyway. SENCO says he has no physical issues with writing, but surely you would expect writing to be legible by age 8? I do think it is about concentration, but SENCO says he does concentrate. Teacher says not independently... Hmm!

Re SATs, I expect DS2 to go to the same school as DS1 does as it is our catchment one, and they set from the first week, based on SATs, and DS1's predictions have been based on those too. They did do CATs, but it didn't affect his sets/predictions. DS1 didn't have anything like DS2's issues with school, and is doing well. DS2 is just as bright, although more patchy, but doing nowhere near as well as DS1 at the same age.

So, shall I insist on a joint meeting? Really don't want to get backs up, but don't want drift. I suppose I want answers, and I'm not sure who can given them to me?

I think you should insist on the joint meeting even if it means waiting until next term.

Ask the Senco to look at the comments in your Ds's books before the meeting. I dont think a SENCO is qualified to make a judgement about your sons physical abilities that needs to be done by a doctor or occupational therapist.

You can request that your Ds is seen by a developmental paediatrician who could begin assessments to look at whether or not he has ADHD and you should also ask for an Occupational Therapy assessment to find out if he is struggling with his motor skills. There is often a really long wait for OT so if you could possibly afford to go private it might be money well spent.

You need to go to your GP to request these referrals. While you are waiting for your appointments make some notes about all the things your Ds is struggling with. If you are well organised you are less likely to get fobbed off.

good luck