Statements & Special Schools

[yomellamoHelly]

I decided to send ds2 (almost 3) to a special school to make sure he got a statement.

This was successful (been told over the phone he will be getting one in January).

However I can't stand the special school (disliked it from the start and they've been worse than expected).

Had a meeting with them which was pointless. Sent various nasty emails to them with no effect. Written six weeks worth of comments in his homebook to try and educate them. Also with no effect. Since half term I've stopped with the comments in the home book and just pick them up on the worst things they do. (Thought I'd better save my energy for more important battles where I might actually make a difference.) But the place is really upsetting me now. (Ds2 has been there 3 months.)

So to my question: When can I stop him going there? My head is saying we have to put up with this situation until the draft statement is issued. Do you think this is right? I can't see that the special school are going to have any more input tbh, but I'm worried the LEA may well turn funny if I say he's not going back next term.

He's got cp btw.

I'd appreciate your opinions.

We have split schooling: 3 days SN, 2 MS, with dd2 on the register at the SN school so she gets their funding.

I don't see why you can't change schools if there is a better place to suit him?

Hi Riven

Interesting to hear what you say about your experience of mainstream schools. That's my gut feeling too though "everyone" has said that the special schools are much better because it's all in-house, the staff are massively experienced, they've got lots of specialist areas (soft play, hydrotherapy pool - if only they could find someone who wanted the hydrotherapist job!! -).
Don't see much evidence of an education in the special school either.

Anyhoo.... he's only there to get a statement. Several people told me it would be hard to get (since he's so young) unless he was at a special school where all the children get them. So I'm trying to look at the bigger picture.

Ultimately I want him in a mainstream school but I wanted to get the statement done before the applications date ended on the mainstream schools in the belief that it would make that process easier. It all depends on how long it takes to get a halfway decent statement really. I also have a dread of him going to a school where he can't cope / isn't happy and where they can't cope either.

MMP

He is actually split MS (a local playgroup) and this place - 2 mornings in each.

Playgroup is funded by inclusion grant 'til February. Generally I'm happy with it in that he's there for the social interaction with kids his age (which obviously he gets) and he LOVES it. But they're not good on working on his skills etc to move him on developmentally. So it's not a long-term solution either (if they didn't generally stop having the children once they're 3 anyway - ds2 has special dispensation until he's 3.6).

My main question though is can the LEA turn around and say no we're not issuing this statement since you've withdrawn your child from the Special School. Do I harm ds2's case? Do I still get a statement requiring the LEA to provide x,y and z if I've said I'm not happy with what they were providing no thank you very much I can sort something better out myself (i.e. me!).

Are you considering home educating?

That can be complicated once your child in a SpecialSchoolwith a statement; it's far ahrder to get eprmission than if your child is in MS school without one. (I am not anti HE btw, have done it in the past for ds3 when awaiting a statement palce).

I seriosuly suggest if you are thinking about it you get in touch with:

Education Otherwise

IPSEA

SOS!SEN

Thes econd two would be worth it even if not HE'ing as they are great on these things.

I'm not sure what provision you are after for your ds? (sorry, sounds stroppy, but not meant to be )

If I have read it rigth, you have sent your ds to special school (preschool?) to get help with hitting on the right formula to get his Statement (ie, the right wording, proper assessment of his needs, etc)

BUT you are not happy with the SN school he is at?

In your position (and I have been there very recently) I owuld be withdrawing my child from the SN school. Ime, they are good at getting statements for what they provide. if what you want for him is not what the SN school provides, then the help they give you may not be the best type of help, iyswim?

Silverfrog

You've summed it up much better than I do!

It is exactly the kind of statement you describe that I worry abot getting.

VPMoS wil try those organisations tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestion. Don't know what I do want tbh - just not what we've got! Will help to find out as much as I can about the options. Feel I need a plan for the new year rather than knowing the status quo is only going to continue.

As I understand it when they send you the draft statement they are not allowed to complete Part 4 - which names the setting - they have to leave this blank and you then nominate a preference. If you ask for mainstream they have to give you this unless it would compromise the education of other children in the class, or the school is over subscribed. Look at Code of Practice - I am assuming you are in England. It would obviously come as a surprise to them that you are not nominating the special school but there are 8 weeks between issuing the draft and final statement when you can meet / negotiate. Obviously it might take time for them to get provision set up in mainstream eg it might be hard to employ a 1:1 over xmas break. However if the decision has already been to the Panel and approved and they have told you over the phone you are getting a statement I can't see how they could change their minds. But maybe I would wait for the letter to hit your doormat. They have to send you the draft statement within 2 weeks of making the decision, so it can't be long to wait. You will probably only get the 12.5 funded hours in mainstream.

Personally - I would keep absolutely quiet about my concerns to both the LEA and the school until you have it in writing that he will be getting a Statement. Better still - kep quiet until you have the proposed Statement.

If they see you wanting a different special school because the current special school cannot meet his needs (or even mainstream) they are so underhand that, in order to sprae themselves the risk of having to fund a really expensive alternative special school they may decide he doesn't need a Statement after all. Or, if you suggest mainstream, they may also decide he might not need one to be in mainstream.

Believe me - they do things like this.

So your current Head is quiet right to say keep quiet until you actually have the proposed (draft) Statement.

Then you can consider mainstream etc.

Helly - just adding another voice to not needing to be in a special school to get a statement. Both my boys are in mainstream and have statements and DS2 got his before he officially started nursery. DS2 is now in the nursery attached to the mainstream school we want him to attend, which gives him and the school ample opportunity to get to know each other, since his nursery class join in with a lot of the whole school routines like assemblies.

is it better if they name a statement in part 4? dd3 has her second draft of her proposed statement (she is 3y3m) and is currently at a private nursery full time but i am wanting them to split her time between this placement and a specialist pre-school outside of our LEA. the case worker seemed very positive at the meeting to discuss the first draft but the second draft has come back with no placement named in part 4 and no explanation why not.

They can't name a school until the finalised Statement.