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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Original poster

Did you know?...

23 replies

lou031205 · 02/02/2010 19:05

Did you know

  • In January 2008 some 223,600 (or 2.8 per cent of) pupils across all schools in England had statements of SEN.

  • The percentage of pupils with statements of SEN placed in mainstream schools (nursery, primary, secondary) was 56.6 per cent.

The corresponding figures for the proportion of pupils with statements of SEN placed in maintained special schools was 36.9 per cent, with 3.6 per cent in independent schools.

  • In 2008 there were 1,390,700 pupils with SEN without statements representing 17.2 per cent of pupils across all schools. The incidence of pupils with SEN without statements is greater in primary schools (18.1 per cent) than in secondary schools (17.8 per cent).

From here

It surprised me that around 40% of children with statements are in special schools, as here on MN it seems quite unusual to have special school.

OP posts:
devientenigma · 02/02/2010 19:22

3 of mine are within the 36% statemented in special school.

Original poster
lou031205 · 02/02/2010 19:28

Oh that's encouraging - can you tell me a little more of your experience? DD1 will start special school in September, and I am still wobbly...

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MavisEnderby · 02/02/2010 19:38

Hi Lou.

dd is in special school nursery and is fully statemented.

She is very happy there
It is LOVELY.

she has access to SALT,physio etc

there is a pool in school

they have a sensory room

wehat is best is that the teachers are SN specialists

She has transport provided and all the transport people are lovely

Original poster
lou031205 · 02/02/2010 19:44

Thanks Mavis - DD will go to special school in Hampshire - it is about 10 miles away from home.

Alternatively, if we move to Scotland, she might go to the special school in South Ayrshire.

OP posts:
2shoes · 02/02/2010 20:05

dd has been at an sn school for about 11 years, it si brilliant(compared to ms)

donkeyderby · 02/02/2010 21:08

DS1 (13) a special school and is statemented. He has severe learning disabilities. We have been generally happy with the school and when we looked round back in 2000, it felt like coming home - I had finally found a place where DS fitted in and wasn't different. I have had a few gripes over the years and I find it a bit institutional, but I can't imagine him anywhere else.

It has been difficult to meet other parents there but I think that seems to be the same for lots of parents of SN kids in ms.

Let us know how DD1 gets on!

meltedmarsbars · 02/02/2010 21:42

My dd2 is part-time sn school, part time ms. She loves both - eventually she will go full time to sn school. Exactly as MavisEnderby says.

I agree with DonkeyDerby about the difficulties meeting other parents - get as many friends as you can at pre-school coffee meet-ups.

NorthernSky · 02/02/2010 22:29

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NorthernSky · 02/02/2010 22:31

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Original poster
lou031205 · 03/02/2010 09:23

It's so nice to hear all of your success stories! I think it is the reaction of parents of NT children at pre-school that makes me wobble. I am sure it is because they start to realise that DD is actually quite bright, that they can't work out how she can have SNs and be bright

OP posts:
BethNoire · 03/02/2010 09:39

DS3 is at an SNU 10 km or so away.

It is amazing.

It is attahced to aMSwhere he used toa ccessquite alot with a 1-1 but no somuch now as he is having issues with absences.

The teachr understands him and he'snot forced into any boxes developmentally- they can acept he can be bright and disabled and toddler like.

They don'tsccream if he wants teddy on the tableor forget he can't have milk.

The school bus lady sings with him and does counting and suns. The last driver cried when he changed jobs as he had such a great relationship with ds3. We cried too but he doesn't know that

They managed to undo the damage done in MS in about 6 weeks,and they now have him reading albeit contextually (no books at homefor somereason-strange as we're a very bookish family), and even on occasion writing (which he hates).

Theya re his best chanceof anything approaching independence,even at such a level as shops alone or making own tea.

BethNoire · 03/02/2010 09:40

X post Lou about bright and SN LOL (Tis Peachy btw)

meltedmarsbars · 03/02/2010 09:44

Funny that - my dd2 also refuses to look at home books - will only look at her school books from her schoolbag.

Original poster
lou031205 · 03/02/2010 09:44

Sounds like our hope for DD

OP posts:
BethNoire · 03/02/2010 09:46

MM it's about context I think....is odd though. If it wasn't for club penguin news I'd honestly think he couldn't read. Obsessions have their uses LOL.

NorthernSky · 03/02/2010 09:51

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meltedmarsbars · 03/02/2010 09:53

I think driving and escorting an SN school bus is a vocation!

NorthernSky · 03/02/2010 09:55

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BethNoire · 03/02/2010 09:57

I know-amazing isn't it?

We had a lessthan good one for a day or two but just as we started to worry she was pulled,LEA far more alert than we eve expected.

I never have to work on poems,songs for school or anything- all done by the time he gets home. They bought him a lovely puzzle for Christmas, as well.

yout hink the drivers are the add ons- not so.They can make a big difference in themselves. Schoolhas gone fromachore if we can even get him in to a happy party.

BethNoire · 03/02/2010 10:00

NS

I'vegiven up on DS1 and homework,becuase the whole home- school thing sparked such meltdowns.We'reafter aaplcein a specialist AS compand they don'teven bother with it until the last year, it is accepted tocause too many problems.

DS3 usedto besent the same homework in MSaseveryone elseand I used to PMSLthat the asdkid who couldn'ttalk was being sent spellings (I have an odd SOH,it has saved my sanity many a time). Now he doesn't really get any.

DS3 does the not talkinga bout schoolthing, he can talk now but it has somany rules attached with hows and wherefores....

NorthernSky · 03/02/2010 10:14

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BethNoire · 03/02/2010 10:51

I think so NS.

I tried to restart te whole HW thing with ds1 and it simply is a no-no.It'dnot an option we have and I have ahd to realise that. I do things like get research or whatever in non-formalways,and arecent thing on family history was a dream as DS1had a great time compiling lists and charts LOL,even disocevered a spy in the family (spy obsession here). He readsevery night through choice and it's allI an do.

glittery · 03/02/2010 20:23

ds has had a great experience at SN school, he just loves it and they all love him from the jannie to the kitchen staff.
because the school only has 21 pupils they all know each other and interact regardless of age. he would have been a wee fish in a big pond at mainstream and while he may have coped with the curriculum its just not what he needs right now while he is learning his communication device etc.

the driver and escort are fab too, we've had 4 different drivers but the same escort from the beginning (they are all related, family taxi business!) and they have all been great, he has really bonded with them all and they chat and have a carry on with him for about 20mins as they are telling me about his day when they bring him home.

at christmas he got a huge "lightning storm" mcqueen toy out the disney store, a lightning mcqueen blanket and umpteen selection boxes off them, even the drivers he didnt have anymore brought him over presents!

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