Changing to a nearer school BUT with less SEN support?

[cakedup]

DS (10, year 6) has been at his current school since he was 3. He is profoundly dyslexic and about 2.5 - 3 years behind his peers. He is currently receiving 1:1 sessions every day, 3 times a week by a dyslexia specialist. There are also two full time TAs in the classroom - for all pupils but obviously helpful for DS.

We have recently moved and are now living an hour away from school, a journey involving two buses and a 15 min walk. DS is finding the journey very exhausting and wants to move to a nearer school for this reason.

He has just been offered a place at a school that is 20 mins away. I went to speak with the SENCO there today. He will have half the support he has now. The school have a very high level of SEN children and he would not be classed as priority. They have a high intake of autistic children, and she mentioned children with behavioural disorders. At his current school, DS has probably the highest level of SEN and therefore gets the most support.

So it's distance versus SEN support. I have to make a decision by Thursday and can't make up my mind. My gut is telling me to stick with his school for his final year - but I might be feeling like this because changing new school is venturing into the unknown.

I don't think DS realises how difficult it might be to change school as well, I went to 9 different schools so am well aware how disruptive and challenging it can be.

What are your thoughts please?!

To be honest, if I was in your shoes, I will not take it...I may get flamed for this. Clearly this other...is it a special school?.....is not ideal for your DS.

I strongly suggest you look at other Independent special school that caters for children who are dyslexic. I've heard that Fairley House is a good school for children with Dyslexia...if the school is far for you, I suggest you give them a call to see if there are any other schools that cater for children with Dyslexia needs.

I was in your shoes before, though, he wasn't getting that much, as your son, in his mainstream school, but we were offered to place DS into a school for children with behavioural problems, as well as children who have Moderate Learning difficulties. It did HOWEVER mean he will get more support in this other school. But I declined, the school was not right for DS and even though he will get mores support, I wanted DS to get the right support. I'm so glad I did this as DS is now going to a school which cater to his needs and he is getting over and above the provision, which he will not of gotten if he went to the MLD school.

So Op, I will decline this other school. To be honest, don't think too much about the distance....I have to travel two hours to take DS from and to his school, but it's worth it. Honestly, when you find the right school that will support your child, the distance doesn't even matter..plus, your entitled to transport if the school is deemed too far away (depending on your council).

So I would keep him at his current school but int he meantime, look around for Independent special schools that cater to children who have dyslexia and try to get him into that school....Does he have an Educational health and care plan?

Oh..post on the special needs children and chat boards, as there are more posters on there.

Ah! Just re-read your question. Your DS wants t move because of the distance..ok that's a different story.. I really don't know. Apart of me is saying, well his just got another year to go, but it's really down to you OP.

Though, if it was my DS, I'll leave him at the current school and try to move...or rent privately near to the school for the time being.

Thanks Notgivingin789 - I decided not to take it. It just didn't feel right.
It wasn't a special school but had provisions set up for autistic children.

If I could afford an independent school catering for dyslexia then DS would be going there for sure!

Unfortunately he doesn't have an EHC plan. I will attempt to get one but I have been told by SENCOs, EPs and SEND that the likelihood of getting a EHC plan on dyslexia is practically impossible.

I have also looked into transport and there have been huge cutbacks in that area and so that is also futile. I can't move home, I have just been housed here. However, DS seems to have been not so bad the last couple of days. I think it's psychological as well as physiological. We're on a waiting list for another local school, we'll see if a place comes up, meanwhile I think the best thing is to continue sending him to his current school.

Thanks for the tip re posting - wondered why it was so quiet on here even though I'd been directed to the SN boards in other general posts.

Glad to hear that OP and I agree with your decision. If your son is already getting a lot of support at his current school, I would keep him there for the time being.