Chelmsford - mainstream and special schools

[babiki]

Anybody out there who could share their experiences?

Hi im not in chelmsford but not far from you. Referals seem to happen at a snails pace. Will be watching this thread with interest, sorry cant be much help. The only ss school I know is st christophers in southend.

What are you looking for? Primary or secondary? LA ss or independent? What's your dc's SENs?

Thanks for replies. He is under the GDD label - I would say learning disability plus dyspraxia, speech is coming on well now.

I'm looking into state mainstream and special schools, going to Thriftwood school tommorow for open day but have heard they are focusing on children with ASD now...

I would like to know mainstream schools with good Senco, but have yet to meet a parent with good experience :(

The LA has a leaflet with all the ss in Essex - although these do all seem to be ASD schools. I couldn't find a single special school in the whole of Essex who could provide for my dc (who doesn't have ASD)

There are a few mainstream schools with speech and language units tho.

In my experience, even having a good SENCo is not a guarantee because they leave/retire/move in

Do you have a Statement?

KeepCalmGoCrabbing - ds will be 4 in November, I'm fighting for statement, been to Tribunal and lost but having a review done on the decision. LA says he should get a statement before starting Reception though.

Yes, I find it similar re ASD and schools...

Ds is extremely delayed in self care and has food issues and no awarness of safety at all; yet I'm being told lunchtime TA does not happen in Essex - will probably end up in Tribunal again regarding this.

Is your dc now happy at school?

Trinity with speech and language doesn't want him as it's not his primary need :(

Ha ha! Sorry can't help but hysterically laugh at your "is your dc happy at school'"! I had to withdraw him from an indie mainstream school exactly a year ago this week because of his unmet SENs and extreme anxiety. I have been home eding ever since and fighting our LA to adequately provide for him for 18 months.

Ironically they have named a mainstream primary with a SLT unit although that is not his primary need.

Tribunal in 2 weeks.

Oh god :( this is what I'm worried about, your poor ds.

What is the tribunal regarding? You can PM me if you want to bad mouth the LEA, they are all very frustrated and agry wih me :)

They brought solicitor and manager of Stetement process and manager of Specialist teachers to the review hearing and my lawyer did not allow their evidence, they couldn't even say their names haha - I worried a bit they might suffer some episode, that's how furious they were ...

Have you heard anything about Thriftwood?

We have just moved into the area and think that we have made the wrong move!!!
I was told by dds pychologist to go to gp and get referal to pychologist in this area which is what I have done. We have been waiting a while so I chased it this morning, he has refered to adult services shes 6 ffs.
They are going to refer to lighthouse in southend. Have you heard of them?

Routinerules, no I haven't - why would they refer to adult services...unbeliavable.

Yes, if I knew ds will have SN I would have never moved here :(

How is your dc school?

Well, schools hmm...
We are on our 2nd school already we moved here 7 weeks ago.
Shes been off this week...
So its not going well!!

So if I wanted a ss school for dd I will have to fight for a statement? But how can I do that if school dont see the issues. Its got quite bad at home recently shes become violent to her siblings. I always interviene but its draining. My 3 yr old says she doesnt like dd now, its heartbreaking.
Shes taking all her fustration out at home where no one can witness it. Feel so trapped.

Oh no :( what are her SN?
Yes, for SS you need statement, you can apply yourself even if the school is not supportive, check out Ipsea website.

Even if they don't agree to assess, things will start happening as they will want to prove that school is meeting needs; so they will send educational psychologist etc... Definitely apply!

Your poor dd must be taking her frustration out at home, if the school is failing her :(

She was dxd with asc at the beginning of this yr. It took me 4 yrs to fight for that!! Will wait for this referal to come through, see what they say then I might start applying for a statement. That is interesting what you said might happen if I apply for a statment, might be worth it for that.
The day after she started this new school the senco said to me that she had a great first day, settled in well. So that is why she beat the crap out of us on the night then??? Cos she was so well settled that I had to put her on her bed while she screamed the house down and threw herself around. 4 weeks on we still dont know what the class teachers name is!!
That was the first day so what chance do I have of them listning!!
Anyway u have enough issues of your own to listen to me going on.
Have you found a school that is suitable?

routine,

I would apply for the statement asap. As these can take around 6 months to set up (and Essex as a county can be difficult to deal with) I would not delay any longer.

Your child is likely to be disruptive at home primarily because she is bottling up all the frustrations of the school day. This shows that her additional needs there are simply not being met.

Many teachers and staff within schools simply are not trained or skilled enough to help children with additional needs and they do not always see problems developing. If the child is quiet and compliant in class, that child is likely to be ignored or go unnoticed.

Use IPSEA's website www.ipsea.org.uk as this is a mine of information.

Also arm yourself with a copy of the SEN Code of Practice (available online).

babiki

Have heard good reports about Thriftwood.

Definitely apply for a Statement. I applied in January 2012 (yes, you read that right 2012 )

We are in the final stages with appeal going ahead shortly. Essex is a horrendous LA to be in if you have a child with SEN. They work illegally, immorally and with blanket policies. Last year they conceded weeks before Tribunal for Refusal to Assess and now we are soon going to Tribunal to settle the provision.

Thanks Attila, can you recommend any mainstream?

Routine, don't wait - the assesments will take ages anyway. And don't expect any hands on intensive therapy; what is called therapy here is countless observations and assesments and generic leaflets provided at the end of it..

Is your dc on School action and has IEP?

Towiela, we are in the middle of review of lost Tribunal.... The assholes will rather pay for people to turn up at countless tribunals than to assess my child!

Have you got any school advice?

Babiki,

Not for Chelmsford directly no as my DS did not go to school in that part of the county (am a bit further south of you and so deal with Basildon LEA).

babiki - we 'talked' this morning on PM. I'm a name changer cos sometimes my anger at my DC's situation and our LA gets the better of me.

Towiela - I see :)

I have heard good things about lighthouse in Southend, I think they either have in house or use a very good play therapist who has been brilliant with a child I know

Thanks for the advise. I will meet with school to see whats going on, I dont know if shes on anything. No one has said so I guess not as im suppost to be aware. Shes quiet and does her work when she understands it so I can totaly see what you are saying about going unoticed.