what senior school????

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Hi there, my daughter is in Y5 and has right-sided hemiplegia. She is in mainstream school and has a statement and has an LSA with her for part of the day. Her annual review is in May and im currently looking at senior schools for 2011. I dont feel that she will cope physically or mentally in a mainstream senior school. There are a few special schools in our area, which are either for severe learning difficulties or just physical disabilities. My daughter is physically disabled but is also behind at school (currently level 3-4). So I feel my daughter fits somewhere in between the different schools on offer. I am looking at one on Thurs with a resource base (for physical disabilities) which is attached to a mainstream school. I feel very confused as what to do next especially as I dont think any of the schools will be suitable. Does anybody have any experience? Thanks, new to mumsnet.

I think level 3-4 is within the average range for Yr 5? The Yr 6 SATS tables give the % of Yr 6 who get level 4, so I thought that was the target for end of primary, so your daughter can't be too far behind. An SLD school would certainly not be suitable, in our area SLD schools often have pupils working below Level 1.

Have you visited all of the schools you're considering? I would do that first and ask lots of questions about the provision and adjustments they can offer, as well as the curriculum. Try to imagine your daughter there and how she might fit in. It may be worth looking beyond your county to see if there are more suitable schools within travelling distance. It would be harder to get your LA to fund a place but you can argue that it is the only appropriate school, if there is nothing suitable within county.

Visit both types - special and mainstream. I would advise special schools for physical difficulties, as level 3-4 is in expected range for people your daughters age.

Talk to your daughter, involve her in the choice - she'll be attending this school for 5 years

I'm not a mum, but a teacher, and researcher, looking at exactly this issue - why do pupils who are sucessful included in primary mainstream suddenly go to special school at secondary.