Hi all, I am really considering sending DS to a Sen school. He coped well within reason at mainstream primary with 1:1 support but not coping so much since starting mainstream secondary. I know it might be a fight and a lengthy process.
he is autistic, has severe anxiety which leads to ritualistic and repetitive behaviours. He is at least 4 years behind at school and not accessing the curriculum. Working below the bottom sets. He is noticing the gap more, school is causing him so much anxiety which is leading to challenging behaviour. He is also masking at school leading to burn out.
he’s very middle in the middle ground. He’s seen as the ‘highest need student’ in mainstream secondary (the sencos own words) and in a Sen school probably would be seen to have fewer needs compared to other children perhaps.
he did not do his year 6 SATS and unlikely to do GCSE’s.
They aren’t supporting him in mainstream school, not as well as they should anyway.
He does have an EHCP. He’s not on max funding yet so likely this will be considered first.
it does seem that it’s the right decision to try. Buy at the same time I feel like there’s drawbacks. He started secondary with the children he’d been around since reception. He does seem to like being around other children that don’t have sen, he doesn’t have many friends but the school says he’s very popular amongst his peers.
I am hoping he can meet lots of new friends in a Sen school but it’s different to what he’s used too.
anyone else been in this situation?