Help me choose a school

[nappyaddict]

School A - 20 minutes walk away, 1 class of 30 per year group, 1 teaching assistant full time in every infants class, 2 teaching assistants shared between year 3, 4, 5 and 6, lovely new head really bubbly and enthusiastic and wants to turn the school around. All the children were hugging her, dressed in a sort of casual way - tshirt and long skirt.

School B - 10 minutes walk away, 1 class of 30 per year group, teaching assistant for each class during numeracy and literacy (so 2 hours a day) Nice head but different to that at school A. Very professional looking dressed in a power suit etc.

School C - 10 minutes walk away, where DS currently attends nursery (but not by our choice - I wanted him to stay at his church playgroup but cos it doesn't get early years funding they couldn't send his specialist SN teacher there to support him.) DS has a really close bond with a little boy there but he is in the year above. 1 teaching assistant per year group which consists of 2 classes of 30. Head similar to that of School B.

All are rated satisfactory in the ofsted reports. School C were accused of not following individual needs when teaching, School B of not challenging pupils to their abilities and letting them carry on at a comfortable level. School A hasn't had it's ofsted yet whilst the new head has been there.

A school is so much guided by its head teacher. Which one would you like to care for your child? Some well dressed ones are wise and kind and superb, others are pedantic and rule-driven and sharp with both parents and children alike. I'd say go with your instincts and pick the one you feel an affinity with?

Agree with amberlight,i went totally with my instinct. I met the head at my son's school and had quite a long chat with her about my son to gauge her feelings on the subject of getting him the right support etc.
She had a really pro active attitude and seemed to genuinely want to help and i'm pleased to say that that hasn't changed.
She is brilliant.
Incidentally when my son started at the school its ofstead wasn't great but i think that just served to motivate all the staff and it's last report was extremely good which i think it really deserved.
I hope you manage to decide and end up being happy with your choice

The heads at all the schools had a proactive attitude and were positive about getting him the support he needs. The ones at school B and C seemed nice but like they could also be quite strict. I know the head at school C has told the parents they must only wear the school logod sweater and not any alternative which I didn't think they were allowed to do?

Oh I forgot to say at school A they do a forest schools thing in reception and they also have smaller class sizes. Usually about 26.

have you directly discussed your DS's SN with any of the schools and/or statementing and 1-1 provision?

He's already being assessed for a statement but we won't receive it until April which means he doesn't get any priority when applying as the offers are given out in March. Once he has a statement we can say which school we feel would be best if we think there's one that is better than the one we get offered but they would give him a place on top of the 30/60 children they've already offered places to iyswim.

We have discussed his SN with all the schools and they were all fine with it and mentioned that a split placement may be a possibility as well.

School C said they could cover lunchtime by not having his 1:1 there during things like assembly and story time when the other children wouldn't need an assistance and the class TA would stay with him and then his 1:1 could support him at lunchtime as well because the 25 hours doesn't include that apparently?

School A said his 1:1 could stay with him during lunchtime and then have 30 minutes lunch when he goes back to class where the classroom TA would support him.

I didn't mention lunchtime support at School B cos I saw that school first and didn't think about it until the next school mentioned it to me.

OK so my mum has been speaking to someone who works at school A. Not very reassuringly she said she wouldn't send her child there. Apparently there is a lot of class disruption cos they get travelling gypsies going there. She also said there's only 15 children going out of 30 places. Would you still send your child?

have you applied yet? you can apply under 'medical and social needs' if you have enough evidence to prove that one school can meet your sons needs better. I applied for Ds1 under medical and social needs and we were a priority when they were working out places,

Yes we've applied. The places are given out on the 26th but our case officer said she spoke to admissions and he has got a place at School A. It was my first choice but now she's made me doubt it.