Thoughts on suggested part time school attendance?

[PassTheProsecco]

Our 4yos proposed statement includes 32.5 hours TA 1:1, he is due to start MS school in September.

The school plan to split the TA role between two people (makes sense), one of which they need to recruit for externally, which will take time.

They have suggested that it may be necessary to keep him part time until his 5th birthday (December) while they put everything in place.

The statement hasn't yet been finalised but as far as the LA are concerned he is going to said school and the school are currently involved in the process of tightening up some of the detail wording to make the statement workable- as far as all parties are concerned the 32.5 hours are a done deal that will need to be provided.

I am of the opinion that actually, a slower transition to school wouldn't be a bad idea, but don't think the timescales they are talking about would be in DSs interests. Perhaps a gradual increase of hours from pt to ft up to half term might be appropriate but given how much school he is likely to miss through illness anyway I am reluctant to needlessly (from his point of view) hold him back until Christmas.

In an ideal world his transition would be led by him, and how well he copes with increased hours at school- but I'm not sure how realistic this would be? How long does it take to recruit a TA?

Any advice much appreciated! x

DS had a similar part time start like other reception children his age but a bit longer part time. He was full time before half term. Obviously it depends on child and school but I think if they can physically cope with it they should be in full time fairly swiftly. If you try some full days mixed with some half days you will be able to gauge how they are coping.

He has a right to a full time education from 10 days after the start of the September term. If you want transition to take longer it can, but they shouldn't be forcing you.

TigerLightBurning, that is exactly what I would like to see- slow introduction of full days to gauge how he is coping, and to build on. Even if he starts full time in January they will need to do that, so why delay it?

That is good to know Lougle- what if they say they haven't got the staff in place to support it though?

They have to find someone to do it. Say you will be flexible to a certain degree, but it needs to be related to the child's needs not their human resources issues.

Lougle is correct, although the compulsory school age is the term after the child turns five, the school MUST offer a full time place from the September after they turn four.

Any part-time timetable must be in the child's interests, time-limited (short) and part of an integration package. If it is not, and school recruitment problems are most certainly not included in this definition, it constitutes an illegal exclusion.

Such knowledgeable advice, as always. Really appreciate it, huge thanks to everyone who responded xxx

Onwards and upwards...