Would you be okay with this or find it strange?

[jussi]

Friday was DS's AR at his new school since we moved area.He settled well and generally things fine BUT no teacher or 1-1 at AR.Senco, autism outreach and LA bod (and myself).
Emailed Senco in evening saying was disappointed teacher and 1-1 not there(1-1 didn't even know about it).Senco contradicted what she had told me at the meeting.I.E. at meeting said she only knew day before teacher on course but in reply email said not school policy for teacher/TA to attend as have written reports.I then asked why was autism woman there then as she had sent a report and only met my son 3times.
Anyhow,today my partner picked DS up and didn't see 1-1 so asked if was in today.Was told a different TA was with him today.Fair enough,assumed usual one ill or something.Then in reply email in last 2 lines said' a new TA will be working with DS who is better qualified and a better match.
Reason I am peeved and suspicious is that: why was she not introduced to my partner at pick up?
Why start a new TA 3 weeks before the end of term?
Why wasn't my DS or us given prior warning to this?
AR was on Friday,I asked whether present TA would be working with him next year and she told me nothing had been decided yet and yet today (Monday) a new TA is working with my son.Seems too sudden to me.
I haven't mentioned every single little detail so might not read correctly but from what I have written does this sound somewhat strange?
I had previously emailed asking who would be present at AR and didn't get a reply.
Is it school policy at any of your schools for them not to be there?
Consequently I have sent an email back asking lots of questions and wanting answers. Ii really didn't want to get off to a bad start with this new school but I don't feel the SENCO is being totally honest with me.

What is the difference between old TA and new that makes them a better match?

Have no idea.That is one of the questions I have asked.old TA had really calm temperament and DS very keen on her.He thinks she is off sick as no preparation done.
The reason I have my suspicions is because at AR I mentioned 1-1 didn't know it was happening (as in morning I'd said to her' see you shortly' and she didn't know what I was talking about). She then started saying something along the lines of ' they don't tell me any....'then gestured zipping her mouth.then when I mentioned it to the Senco in the meeting she brushed it under the carpet saying she did know. Then at the end of the day I asked her whether anyone had given her feedback and she almost mockingly said no as if they wouldn't tell her anything.At the end of the day always tells me to speak to the teacher regarding any little issue that she could tell me,yet I have to wait till all children gone to be told something that the 1-1 could have easily told me.
The reason I chose this school was because of their really inclusive ethos but really not happy with communication.reports not being sent home,emails not replied to,then Senco telling me conflicting information.

Hmm, it does sound a bit like the TA didn't 'fit' the school. Very unprofessional of her to complain to parents that nobody told her anything. It might mean that the school isn't very good at communicating or that the TA might have views that they didn't want you to know about, but it might equally mean that the school was having a problem with this TA and didn't feel she was working with them very well. It would be interesting to find out if she has left the school completely or just moved to a different class? Sounds like the school don't want to discuss it with you. Have you put your concerns in writing to the SENCo, copied to the head and the LA autism rep.

At my DS's primary the TA neary always attended the meetings, the class teacher usually did, but they were loathe to pay for supply. The TA didn't attend the first couple as she had hers hands full with my DS! The LA autism advisory teacher always attended as the LA representative, and I was glad to have someone from outside the school there.

It does sound like there's been some politics going on. It's very unfair to your DS, though - extremely confusing for him.

In 10 ARs between the two boys, we've always had the TAs there for at least part of the meeting and there's only twice that a class teacher hasn't been able to attend because they've not been able to arrange cover from within the school (and having cover for the 1:1 plus outside cover for the CT tends not to work well for the boys) SALT often attends for DS2 and we've usually had someone from the autism advisory service, in the past, though this year, the LA EP was at DS1's and very useful she was, indeed.

Thanks.good to know what common practice elsewhere is.
Apparently class teacher is baffled by it all too and pleaded ignorance.Seems there's massive communication problems between senior management and rest of staff.
Had a reply from the Senco who contradicted what she had earlier said.Tbh,at the mo just looking forward to the holidays so we don't have to think about school things and just enjoy ourselves!