4+ hour daily minibus school commute for Asperger/ADHD Son?

[sprogling]

Hello,

To cut a long story short(ish), we're trying to finalise our EHCP and the LA are consulting with a School for my 10 year old Aspergers/ADHD Son that involves a 4+ hour daily minibus commute which we're totally against (aside from the journey, we also feel it's the wrong setting for him). Has anyone been in a similar situation, or know if we have any legal standing?

He's done the journey all this week as they're evaluating him (despite protests from me). He leaves at 7am and arrives at School at 9:30am, then leaves at 3:30pm and gets home after 5:30pm. He's high functioning Aspergers but the other boys on the bus are mainly non-verbal and are 18 years old (he's 10). The driver told me that he has been great but sticks out like a sore thumb :(

From what I understand, The Home to School Travel and Transport Guidance suggests maximum reasonable journey times of 45 minutes for primary school children, and 75 minutes for secondary school children and may be shorter for children with SEN..

Really appreciate any advice!

That doesn't sound ideal.

The driver shouldn't be saying that to you though.

Hope someone can give you some practical advice.

Thanks Fanjo that's what I think too. I think the driver unsuccessfully meant to be helpful but it came out wrong (my son is a non stop talker who craves friends, so I think he's feeling very lonely, bored and travel sick..)

It does sound long.

Although my DD had 90 minute commute to playscheme some days and was OK. She adores bus travel though.

That sounds way over the top for a child that age. 2 hours is a long time to not have access to the loo, too.

DS1 is in year 7. Last year his journey was an hour, this year it's 80 minutes due to sharing a taxi. I think that's about his limit, even though he enjoys travelling and comes home telling me what buses he's seen on his journey.

Thanks everyone - I'm hoping we get a nice early Christmas and the LA finally listen.. he has been off School since March and we started the EHCP in May, so it would be nice to get him in a School that's right for him.