School asking what provision I ideally want

[FunnyHowThingsWorkOut]

We have a report from a private neuropsychologist which has given us a much better understanding of what we are dealing with for our 10 y o ds.

It is a long report with 7 pages of recommendations ranging across various areas. Some seem to be about teaching style, some about specific provision, some about use of software, some about modifications to exam conditions.

I sent it to the SENCO and we are meeting on Thursday morning, which is good.

But she has asked me to outline what I would ideally like the school to do. Do I just say, 'Look at pages x to y of the report?' I will certainly ask that she read that section specifically.

Or do I need to work through it myself and do more figuring out?

I have been asked that question many times by sencos and its really very hard to answer isnt it?

Sometimes I just want to say "well you could do your job for a start and ensure that the provisions for my child are put into place!"

I sometimes wonder what they actually want us to say!

I emailed to ask whether she had seen the recommendations and she said she had, but they wouldn't be able to do everything so wanted an idea of priorities from me.

Which I guess is fair enough. I can think of a couple that I don't think will be necessary or worthwhile. But yes, my first reaction was

So, she's saying she can't meet all your child's needs then? They can't pick and choose. Your child has the right to have all his needs met.

It may be best to apply for an EHCP - that way all his needs should become apparent.

Oh Dear!! So she is saying that she knows that a professional that you have clearly chose for his/her expertise has recommended all these things but its all too much and she wants you to pick which ones you think your child needs!!

Sorry if that sounds cynical but really!!

Yes you could pick because I am sure you know your child way better than she does, but you have gone to the trouble of getting a professional report which tells the school what they need to do, all they actually need to do is get on and do it!!

They will tell you that they dont have any money to provide the extra that your child needs! If that is the case then they need to apply for an EHCP pretty damn quick and get seom additional funding in place!!

They really take the p..s !

I am thinking that I will say that two suggestions are not a priority (drama group would cause him way too much stress, and that although his literacy comprehension is somewhat literal, I think that other issues have priority for now). I will say that some of what they suggest is just good teaching practice so I'm sure they already do it (??)

I will say that of the various bits of software she recommends, I would be happy to go with whatever they already have.

Then I will say that everything else is a priority, so what is it in particular she thinks they CAN'T provide?

In particular, I will stress that he really must be taught to spell using the method advised since current methods are NOT WORKING, that he is noted to be gifted in maths so should be seeing much more progress in this area with the right provision, that he definitely needs social skills groups now, that the long promised sensory work should begin, and that in class adjustments will have to be made as advised.

He is in Year 5 going into Year 6, so they don't have long to get their act together, and I suspect they will just take quite a long time to sort this all out and he'll be stuffed. Again.

In part this is about seeing what really helps him before going to secondary school and seeing what we think we need from a secondary school, and also about trying to prepare him for the less structured world of secondary school.

He is one of those well-behaved bright kids who is getting a bit lost because he does okay on the SATs, frankly, so I'm not holding out much hope that they are motivated to do much.

I have already been told that they can't have anyone like a Specialist Teacher actually observe him because the waiting list is too long and he is not a priority. Hence the private report.

I have been told dozens of times that my child isnt a priority and doesnt need extra support because she can reach the targets that the government sets!

In the meantime my child is falling apart because support recommended by professionals is ignored!

If I were you I would be applying for an EHCP yourself although if you had to go to appeal you probably wouldnt get it in place in time for the beginning of yr 7.

This is exactly what happened to Dd3 and she is now out of school having fallen apart at Easter of yr 7!

I really hope you can get something sorted for your son!

My friend who is a neuropsychologist is looking at the report and says that the writer is being not so subtly quite damping of my son's teacher. His teacher that he has again next year.

Oh dear

So they have agreed to some in class adjustments, social skills group, spelling software, and other bits, but no one-to-one support for errorless learning methods which was also recommended. (See other thread) I am taking more advice.