SN schools questions to ask on viewing , help please

[Phoenix4725]

a while back someone posted list of things to ask when go to view a sn school but I can not find it so if anyone has ny idears please as I am of to look at 1 tomorrow

ds is non verbal , gd about 2 years in most things bar speech* , not toilet trained, hypermobile , poor gross and fine motor skills, and some Autistc traits but there sitting on fence atm

Thank you

i copied and pasted some from that link might not all be

Policy on administering Meds.

Does the school have a common 'language'?

Do they use visual timetables?

How do they handle a change to the normal routine?

What specialist training do staff have above and beyond generic teacher training

How often is SALT visiting, how does she work

What literacy programmes are followed

Communication policy-ask to see it.

PECS, Makaton training

OTs and Physios-when do they visit

Is there a website/newsletter for you to keep abreast of what is happening?

Ask to see menus and typical timetable for a week

might not all be relevant

How much SALT does the school get in terms of hours each week?

Do they have any after school clubs and do they do a holiday playscheme?

Do they run any parent groups?

Have a really good look round and look at the ouside areas too.

Do they use Makaton, are all the staff trained?

How many children in each class and how many staff per class? Do they have any ASD experience?

Sorry, there are loads more but can't think at the moment!!

background needs of the other children in class

do the classes always stay together or are they ever mixed (ie foundation curriculum / key stage 1) Would yr child be working at the most appropiate level to them even if it was not their actual year group?

how much 1 to 1?

are the teaching assistants / support staff linked to class or do they rotate?

are any clinics run from school? (eg could you transfer some of medical appts)

mealtimes - are they quiet / noisy. Is there any flexibility in when / where child eats?

how are the physio / salt targets incorporated into yr childs schoolday

what inclusive work do you do? Are you linked with any local mainstream schools?

can you see my child here?

thank you

have took notes so be intrestng to see later
I`m taking my ds with me as well

Good luck Phoenix, dd2 is getting a sneeky trial at our SN school on friday, i am doing a course at the school and they have offered to look after dd2 for 2 hours (this is the school she may atend next year).

it went fantastic , they have employed their own salt independantly .who is in the school 3 full days week.all the lsa, teachers etc are makton and pecs trained,sensory room , soft play area , very small class sizes, high staff ratio , their pupils are mix of asd and moderate ,learning diffculties

Andwhat impressed me was the head knew every child by name and they were all pleased to see him when we was in out claases.

And i saw several children similar to my ds and the head after spending time with my Ds felt he would do well there, and hecould start the easter just before hes 5 or the september depending on places,Imentioned about the fact am doing pecs courses and paid myself, he was and invinted me to several of the courses they run for prents of the school and other intrested partys , I never even knew about them

Now just to convince the flaming Lea

Glad it went well. When we have been to see schools I always look to see if there are older versions of my daughter and if I could imagine her there. It sounds great.