Taster Days

[OneInEight]

HT of a local (well relatively so) independent has offered to trial ds1 and ds2 on a series of taster days to see if they can meet their needs. Spoke to SEN Team this morning (on another matter) and she advised me against doing the taster days to not raise expectations. This is rubbish isn't it - how can you decide if the school is suitable unless you trial it.

The SEN team are probably just trying to put you off looking at a school that would cost them more money. DD couldn't have an offer of a place until she had spent 2 days at the school so they could see if they suited her and if she suited them. We were appealing her placement at tribunal so had to have an offer of a place for her to argue about - no argument if no place after all. I am with you that you will never know until you try it. DD came home on her first day having been SO nervous about going and upset at the thought of a new school and told me she loved it. She loved the second day even more. She cried when she had to go back to her old school on day 3. I knew then to continue to trust my instincts about her needs and we fought on - and won her place at tribunal. She is thriving in the new school now. So long as you do not promise your DS1&2 that this will be their placement for the long term then you will not get their expectations up too much about it all.

The other advantage to a taster day or two is that the school should be able to give you feedback about the needs they have identified and how they are able to meet them. It gives you a basis to use to argue your case for that school being the right one. It is harder for a local authority to suggest a school that has never met your child and say it will suit them.

Taster days are a must- Totally agree with beautifulgirls. It is tricky to explain but make it honest and simple. They know that without taster days it cannot be suggested they could provide an education.