Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

Your views on Inclusion in education please? Everyone welcome!

90 replies

dottee · 26/02/2004 13:13

Hello everyone,

The success of the 'way for onlookers to behave' thread has really got me thinking and I hope you don't mind me starting a separate thread about 'Inclusion' in education.

I am a Governor at my daughter's school which is for children with Severe Learning Difficulties. We are in the middle of a review at present following the Government's directive of encouraging Inclusion into mainstream of children with Special Educational Needs.

I'd love to hear from everyone (whether you are mum of a SN child contemplating special or mainstream education or a mum of a NT child in mainstream). Please don't be shy of writing what you think. If the thread gets going, I'll add bits of what has been the opinion at our school, and what my own views/concerns are. Thank you.

OP posts:

dinosaur · 05/03/2004 12:20

fio2 I know exactly what you mean

playtime was what I was most worried about as well

however, yesterday I wasn't at work and I sneaked past the school gate at playtime - and say DS1 running around happily playing with another child and grinning from ear to ear! I tell you, nothing could have made me happier, I felt like someone had just handed me a cheque for a million quid

so try not to worry too much - it is scary, I know

can you try and make friends with some other parents whose children will be starting in September and get your dd together with their children a few times before they all start? I took great comfort from the fact that DS1 at least knew a handful of other children in Reception, although as things have turned out I don't think he is especially friendly with any of them at school now.

Davros · 05/03/2004 12:33

fio2, what about buying a copy of the Makaton Nursery Rhymes video for the class to watch? I'm sure they'd all love it and hopefully the teacher will be willing. I know it doesn't help, but everyone worries about them changing schools. I was sick when my son went to school, having been educated at home until he was 6, but the problem was mine, not his. Of course, he was going to a very good special school so that's a lot easier. Can you go in with her or pop in for playtimes just at the begninning? I would have thought that would be very welcome from the school and would also reassure you. You could show the other kids some of her signs then too. Dino, fantastic sneaky look into the playground, you must be so pleased!

fio2 · 05/03/2004 14:49

Thanks Dino and davros

I am glad your son seemed so happy at school playtime dino, that must have made you very proud. I will try and make friends with childrens parents but it doesnt give me much time. I will have only just moved there a couple of months previous when she starts school! Mind you I am not that shy, so hopefully we will be able to socialise!

Davros I never thought about the Makaton signing video, it sounds like a really good idea. The other thing I was worrying about was she isnt fully toilet trained yet, I even rang the school to talk to them about it. The lady said I know you are worried Mrs X but we have children with catheters(sp?) here why are you worried about us changing nappies? Made me feel a bit neurotic!

I think you are right it is my problem. I know for a fact dd WILL be happy. She never seems unhappy so I think I should just chill! It is nice to know though I am not alone in my feelings, comes with being a Mother hey?

dinosaur · 05/03/2004 16:50

Yes, again I wouldn't stress about the toilet-training, DS1 only just started using the loo for No. 2s in December last year and he's still not very happy about "going" anywhere other than at home, but school have been fine about it.

maryz · 05/03/2004 20:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mrsforgetful · 05/03/2004 23:56

talking of Makaton...... DS3 (NT????! ) came home from school 'signing' the other day!!!! Turned out his teacher (EX SENCO when at another MAINSTREAM school) uses Signing to help the 'younger' children learn ....I was really amazed that he could sign Mummy/Daddy/Brother/sister/Cross/Happy/sad all after 1 day- she is such a great teacher and she is the one that commented that much of DS2's behaviour is out of his control

Jimjams · 08/03/2004 09:34

OK today I've come up against another problem with m/s.

When the LSA's off DS1 can't be in school (they have no cover as the other LSA's are doing a first aid course).

Luckily they rang just before I put his uniform on (otherwise I suspect there would have been meltdown- he's been saying "go to school" all morning as it is). Aggggghhhhh i'm afraid to say I put the phone down, burst into tears and said "but I need to go to the post office". I guess I need the respite.

Anyway dh is coming home for kuch so I can go to the post office.

IMO this is a MAJOR problem with m/s schools- they can only just cope at the best of times so it doesn't take much to go pear shaped. And the unreliability of course makes it difficult for mothers like myself to work, blah blah blah.

Davros · 08/03/2004 10:01

Surely they must have known this last week, at least on Friday? Can you have a calm word to ask if they can let you know in advance. Not having any cover is pretty crap but usual

Jimjams · 08/03/2004 10:05

She's phoned in sick Davros. They were very apologetic and promised it wouldn't happen again. And I would rather they said if they couldn't cope with him, rather than just have him in anyway (he would be a denger to himself). It's just another issue that hasn't been thought through. If you include children in mainstream who are unable to cope without 1:1 then what happens when that 1:1 goesw off sick.

I think in the longer term they plan to get 2 LSA's trained up to work with him, so I guess that would help prevent this sort of situation.

Davros · 08/03/2004 10:14

Oh sorry, I thought she was on a course. I know that awful feeling from our home prog if someone phoned in sick last minute and I'd think "bloody hell, what am I going to do?" but you have to say, "don't worry, get well, take care blah blah"! It was always OK and good training I suppose

mrsforgetful · 08/03/2004 10:36

JIMJAMS- understand the respite bit.... i used to think that respite was 'just for parents to have a rest'!!! For the past 2 or 3 years i have seen it more as something to enable parents to 'do the things they have to do - that the children cannot cope with' I don't have 'official' respite- and though i HATE the school my boys are at i admit to looking forward to mondays as my 'Respite' day.......so I feel DOUBLE SAD for you as i'm sure you have weekends like me !

Jimjams · 08/03/2004 10:40

Usually they would have a stand in but they were on the course Yes I did the "oh don't worry, no problem, I completely understand". Then came off the phone and burst into tears! I had a horrible-" what the hell are we going to do all day feeling". It wasn't so bad before ds1 started running away as then I could have taken both boys to the park at least. Now we're stuck in. Agggghhh

Eulalia · 14/03/2004 10:56

I haven't had a chance to read through this thread so apologies if any of my queries are covered here....

Basically I have two choices for ds - first,I can put him to a mainstream with SEN unit attached - I have visited two schools which are quite similar in size. they do of course mean travelling which means a longer day. here he would be in a class of about 24 kids and would move into the SEN area (a separate part of the building) as and when he needs for more one-one teaching. One school I visited was lovely, purpose built, open plan etc, only 4 years old.

The other option is to go to our local primary which is literally just up the road (could walk there) and as we live in a village very small. There would be just 12 pupils in the class which covers P1-4. Here he would have an auxilliary to help him.

There would be dis/advantages to both scenarios... basically he is either in a large class and then moving out of it to a smaller setting or he is staying in the same place which is a smaller setting anyway ifswim so am in a bit of a quandry to decide ... I have a feeling the SEN staff will be better trained than the auxillary but perhraps the auxillary being in the same room may mean a more natural setting...

Wondered if anyone had any views... thanks very much ! oh and by the way I checked the IPSEA link which dinosaur posted on the other link but Scotland phone no is currently out of action due to lack of funding

KPB · 14/03/2004 11:49

Hi Eulalia, I think every child is so different and it really depends on the child.
It's good that their are only 12 in a class so your ds won't be so overwhelmed by the children. It also depends on the auxillary as well and the classroom teacher. On the other hand the special needs is also good as they do seem to have a greater understanding. Is it just a SN school or specialised in your ds SN (ITMS!).
IME dd found mainstream hard, although their were 30 in a class so that didn't help. Dd is now in a SALT unit that I couldn't fault as she has made massive improvements in all areas. In the SN school will your ds have access to SALT?
Good luck with whatever you decide, it is a hard decision to make. I was in your shoes this time last year so now what you are going through!

Eulalia · 15/03/2004 21:27

Thanks KPB - am seeing hte last school on Fri so will make a decision soon. He is still waiting for SALT from his referral last May! There is an extremely long waiting list. don;t know if school will access it quicker but hope he gets some before then!

Flip

1 2 3 4