Am I being unreasonable to expect the Infants to have told the Juniors about DS's dx?

[Niecie]

DS1 is 7 and has just started the Juniors which is on the same site as his old Infants. He has had a dx of mild AS for about 21 months.

Last night we went to parents evening and saw his teacher first. She showed us his IEP which all looked OK especially as they have arranged an appointment with an OT who DS hasn't seen for 2 years. We sorted out a few things where the teacher didn't really have much of a handle on what DS could and couldn't do and it was useful

After that we had an appointment with the SENCO to talk about how DS has been in the playground as we were worried he wasn't mixing any more and see if we can get some help with his social skills and his stimming. Anyway, after dissuading us from seeing the ed. psych. as she probably won't be able to help, she suggested taking DS to the GP to arrange an appointment with a psychiatrist. That was a bit of a shock in the first place, after all he isn't mentally ill, he has learning difficulties but it turns out that she wasn't aware that DS had a dx! After problems with a poor hand over of the academic stuff it turns out that the reports done on DS haven't been passed on or, at the very least, nobody has told the Juniors his history.

Am I wrong to find I am actually quite annoyed by this, not least because I now have to copy all the reports and write a covering letter to make sure that everybody knows what is going on.? I expected more of the Infants as it is a very good school although I am open to the possibility that the Juniors have all the info and just haven't bothered to read it.

Sorry this is so long but these things are never simple are they?

Hey niecie...you're not in the North West are you?

It sounds exactly like the set up at my son's school.

BTW, you're not being remotely unreasonable; I think you should write down your concerns and copy to both headteachers (and does the infant school have 2,if it is the school I'm thinking of?) of each school and both SENCOs.

You are not being unreasonable at all.

Sadly communication an points of transition is often not what it should be. For the future, always cover your bases by making contact with the relevant people and highlighting potential difficulties. You shouldn't have to do this, but it can help. Also, as teachermum says, highlight concerns to the appropriate individuals.

Thanks for replying

I am never sure if I am meant to do more or whether I should expect the schools to sort it out, even if they can't! I had intended to see the teacher and the SENCO earlier in the term than this but wanted them to get to know DS a bit as well. Maybe next time I should pack him off with a letter of explanation on the first day of the academic year!

The Junior headteacher had a stroke in the first week of term, so as the Infants had an outstanding Ofsted last term and the Juniors is due to have one this term too, the Infants headteacher is head of both schools on a temporary basis, to get the Juniors up to scratch.

From playground gossip I think she has been shocked at what she found at the Juniors and it seems like she is really trying to get the school back on track and also get a better handover of the Yr 3 children now she knows more about what is required. She also sent home a questionnaire of what parents thought of the handover and the schools but DS, being a typical AS and dyspraxic child, is frequently disorganised at the end of the day and doesn't pick up the letters so I didn't get the chance to have my say. I think I will now though anyway!

No we aren't in the North West, we are actually in the South. Sadly, after a few months on MN, I am realising that whatever problem I may have with schools and SN, there are plenty of others who are in the same boat elsewhere in the country.