Starting school in 2017 support thread

[Frogandbear]

This thread is inspired by another thread where I was sharing my concerns about my DS starting school next year. Wouldn't it be great if those in the same boat could have a place to share their concerns and ask questions.

So let's introduce ourselves:

1. Tell us about your child
   
2. What type of school are you looking at for next year?
   
3. Have you applied for an EHCP? What stage of the process are you at?
   
4. Any concerns/questions you have
   

I'll go first

1. DS is 3 and a half - gorgeous, easy going and with a giggle that would fail to make anybody smile . He also has asd, is non verbal but his struggles outside of communication/interaction are relatively few. He is happy and marches to the beat of his own drum and that makes me happy too .
   

1. Having looked at what seems like every type of school possible, we have pretty much decided on a ms primary, although I would be open to home educating if that was required at the time.
   

1. Applied back in September....decision on whether to assess is LATE. Will be phoning SEN helpline tonight for advice on how to proceed.
   

1. EVERYTHING
   

Your turn

[Msqueen33]

To give people hope my dd2 who has asd and ADHD is in year two. Very behind in her first two years did very well in her practise year 2 sats, is meeting expected academic levels now, is very popular and most amazing of all is able to tell her adult when she feels uncomfortable rather than meltdown. This from a very challenging child. It gives me a slither of hope for my youngest going this year who has asd and I'm 99% sure ADHD as well.

[HHH3]

DS2 has a place

[Msqueen33]

Fantastic. So pleased for you.

[HHH3]

Really, really liked the head and having looked round the school again I love it even more. When we came out my friend said 'it's a DS2 school'!

So now I need to ring the LA and tell them I want to name the school on his EHCP. Feeling really positive but a little nervous...hope I'm doing the right thing!

[Msqueen33]

HHH3 Good luck. Always good to have someone with you. Fingers crossed it goes well 🙂

[HHH3]

So, I'm going to meet the head of the school I think I've decided on this afternoon. I really want to just get a feel for her and to make sure we're on the same page. Taking a friend with me so I have a bit of outside perspective.

If this doesn't go well I'm not sure what I'm going to do as I don't actually have a back up plan So fingers crossed!

[Frogandbear]

HHH3 Unfortunately they're at the annoying stage of collecting information from pediatrician, nursery, etc, so I feel like I can't hurry them along yet. They just claim that they're waiting from information from a third party and can't go any faster.

[HHH3]

Frog remind them they have a statutory obligation to complete within 20 weeks.

[Msqueen33]

Oh god that's worrying. Saying that when it was a statement I self applied for my dd and it started in June and we had it by August. I've got a meeting next week and someone from the council is coming so I'll lean on them to start it. Sigh. Like things with a child with Sen aren't hard enough anyway.

[Frogandbear]

MsQueen33 We started the process back in September and we're still only at the assessment stage. The 20 weeks to completion seems to have gone out the window...

[Msqueen33]

Our LEA won't start doing ours until the end of this month. They've assured me it'll be done in 20 weeks so ready for school. Plus our funding is looking at in week 14. They wouldn't do ours any sooner.

[Frogandbear]

Yikes, that makes me worried...and disorganised

[HHH3]

We have an EHCP - was finalised last October.

[Frogandbear]

*The assessment stage finished I mean, not the entire EHCP.

[Frogandbear]

May I ask what stage everyone is at in the EHCP process? We're currently stuck in the assessment process but finger crossed it should be finished in the next few weeks. I'm very aware that we stand no chance of getting our chosen school without it.

[Msqueen33]

That's what I think. As long as they reach their potential that's the main thing.

I keep telling myself we need to give mainstream a try for a year or two to see how we go and go from there. I never thought my other dd would be able to cope and the first year was rocky but she's doing well. I just wish more TAs and teachers etc understood more something as common as autism. Her current teacher is fab but most don't seem to get it. Even the senco seems to want to normalise herself as much as possible and whilst I agree she has to function in the world I'm not bothered if she doesn't make dead on eye contact.

[HHH3]

Try to remember this isn't forever. If it's not right or she's not coping then she doesn't have to stay there. That's what I keep reminding myself!

When I was looking at primary schools for DS1 I looked at ofsted and results. This time I haven't because being small/inclusive/supportive etc is so much more important (I'm definitely a different parent to the one I was then, even without DS2's SNs). But for a little while there I reverted back! I honestly believe that if he's happy he'll reach his potential - whatever that may be.

[Msqueen33]

HHH3, I've long given up being so bothered by results. I've reached a point where pastoral care and social and emotional well being is my main focus. But it's the way you tend to think to start off with I think as it's the "normal" thing to look at.

[Msqueen33]

Honestly...I'm panicked. Completely freaking out. Dd3 still non verbal and I'm not sure whether she'll cope in mainstream. But it feels like our only option as we don't have any Sen provisions locally and my other dd who has asd and ADHD is getting on well and has made a lot of progress. Senco isn't brilliantly but I feel choice is a bit limited in where I send her. She'll go into school with kids whose parents I know which might make the social side a bit either as senco brought up deferring though she isn't summer born. But in all honesty I'm dreading it. Other dd goes to juniors then so another change.

[HHH3]

Happy New Year! How's everyone doing?

I've been in touch with my favourite school and arranged to go and meet the headteacher next week. I've already looked around and had a long chat with the senco and was really happy with that. Just want to meet the head to make sure she's also on the same page. Also waiting on a call back from the senco as I have a couple of things to ask her.

Had a bit of a wobble the other day when I looked at their results for the first time. They're really not good. Results are really not what I'm interested in DS will probably be the one pulling them down in a few years time! but I still wobbled because it feels so counterintuitive to send him somewhere with results like that. Then I gave myself a kick up the arse, realised there are a couple of reasons the results look like that, and reminded myself I'm looking for somewhere that's supportive and inclusive and results are way down my list of priorities

[MaterofDragons]

I should have said 3 years as that would take them up to age 7 and at the end of key stage 1. I think I'd need to re-evaluate whether it would benefit them to stay at home at that time.
Tbh I'm pretty much flailing around in the dark most of the time and change my mind about things on a daily basis

[Frogandbear]

I only ask because I've thought of doing the same with DS but...I guess not . Out of interest...why 2 years? and (hypothetically) what would have been your plan for schooling be after that time?

[MaterofDragons]

I'm afraid not frog Our LA are not exactly aba friendly. If I asked for aba and home schooling I'd be burned at the stake

[Frogandbear]

Mater If you homeschool could you still get ABA funded through the EHCP?

[HHH3]

Ah ok. I'm not sure how it works with free schools tbh. There aren't any around here so I haven't had to look into it.