Teacher pushing for us to get a special needs diagnoses

[wintersdawn]

Hi just after some advice from more knowledgeable people. My DD is about to turn 6 and is in year 1, we've just had a meeting with the school and the feedback is that she will finish the year behind where she is meant to be across the board.
This isn't a shock to us as the school have kept us up to date and we know from everyday life that she struggles with concentrating, sitting still and learning. However this is the first time that the teachers have actively tried to push us down the route of special needs assessments.
What I'm not sure of is if this is the teacher genuinely trying to help us as a diagnosis will result in extra support or given the fact that it's a small school that has recently received an outstanding ofsted under the new head teacher, a diagnosis or an attempt at one will alter the way her education level is reviewed by ofsted.

Is your DD at a state school? The reason I ask is your post implies the school wants you to organise and pay for such an assessment ? I don't think the school would ask unless there was a genuine concern. Your DD's difficulties need to be quite severe for them to get extra funding which comes via an EHCP . This in itself can be difficult to obtain. For the assessment itself I would expect the school to carry out an initial one themselves and then apply to their local education council for an assessment for you. Unfortunately schools usually only have a limited budget for x pupils a year for such assessments so it can be a battle to get them to refer you to the council in the first place.

Children with SEN diagnoses aren't written off and discounted by Ofsted, they still have targets to aim to meet as any other children do.

Sen becomes more apparent with age. Have they talked about bringing ed psych in to evaluate her or are they pushing more for you to go to gp and persue a medical diagnosis.

If the school wants to organise assessments, if I were you I'd bite their hands off. Most parents really struggle to get school co-operation.

I agree. Sounds like school are being very proactive here which is unusual!!