School Choices whilst going through the statement process

[runikka]

Good evening

I dont know if anyone can advise me. We have recently had to select 3 schools for Daniel for Sept 2009. At the moment he attends a special school nursery on an outreach placement and the statement process has just started. The school are keen for him to say and we are definitely hoping he can continue.

So, we put the school he attends now first, followed by another special school in the area and then finally the local mainstream.

We received the letter back and he has been allocated the local mainstream We know that until the statement process has been finished, we wont know if he can attend the special school but we have written stating our preferences separately and asked for the statement process to be started last June (it was started late January)but feel it has been ignored. I dont know whether we should now be appealing the school allocation or waiting until the decision has been made on a statement. He is non-verbal, non-toilet training, severe food issues and autistic.

Would you wait and see or stress again where we really would like him to attend? Would you speak to the special school to see if they can express any interest in him being on their register?

many thanks

im going through statement process myself and on the form it says have you in mind the school you want could you contact them and put your preference and also write to the education board with letters from pediatrician stating the other school would meet his needs etc

i wouldn't wait for anything id keep on until im heard if its whats best for your son as sept isn't that far away and you'll only worry get yourself a head start

speak to the school speak to the mainstream school they may decide that he'd be better at a school better equiped for his needs and speak to education

sorry if my advise is rubbish as i say im at same stage but my ds needs are not the same as your ds i hope that you get the outcome your after

in all honesty when i done my school i only chose 1 school as it was best for sn knowledge it is mainstream but alot of ASD children go there so only school i wanted not sure if we have been given it or if they have allocated him else where though

Hi Runnika

Agree with bubbla - get a head start. My DS2 is statemented for s&L difficulties and asd.

I would contact ed board and see where you're statement is at. It's vital that that information is really taken on board. All the reports, school, paediatrician, ed psych give weight to a decision being made about appropriate educational provision. Get written back up from his current school, if it's not already included in the statementing documentation. Speak to them for advice as well.

It's a bit of a stressful and complicated process but it's well worth chasing up.

I'm sure someone else will be along with some help as well. Good luck.

Many thanks for your replies. My husband spoke to the school this morning and they advised that they will look into things aswell. We just had a call saying the ed pysc was going to visit Daniel at school so at least they have acknowledged him in his school location. The school have been very supportive and we have been advised his outreach placement can continue if a statement isn't processed in time for school admissions so that is reassuring although not a long term solution.