Please tell me not this bad everywhere?

[blanksy]

Following a dreadful 4 1/2 yrs with dd's school, we've put our house on the market to move elsewhere. (From what I've heard all the other primary schools in the town are similar and the private schools too academic to take SN.)

DD been ill since birth, but diagnosed with absence epilepsy just before 5th birthday (now yr 3). She's uncontrolled - up to 30/40 seizures per day, plus other issues. G.O.S put her on prophelactic as she missed 5 months last school year. School refuse to believe anything wrong with her - despite letters from G.O.S, local paed and community paed.

She is discalculate (no idea of time, money, number bonds to ten etc), reading is excellent, but really poor concentration, problems following instructions and socially appears about 2 years behind.

Still not seen an ed pysch, no formal meetings with SENCO, HT not interested nor her class teacher (although had gd one last year). Still get called at least 3 times per week to take her home because she's had an absence. Sorry - ranting away!!

Is everywhere like this or does it make a difference living in an area with an epilepsy nurse (we don't)?

Hi - under the Disability Discrimination Act you can ask for reasonable adjustments to be made for her epilepsy
You can formally request an meeting with her SENCO and ask for a fully assessment of her special needs.
Contact IPSEA for help.
As you are moving hopefully the new school will be much more helpful
If you have no enjoy you can always contact the LEA - go straight to the top - the Director of Education and ask for support from the local parent partnership
Also post on the other special needs education and special needs children's board

Just wanted to say - my son's issues are totally different but I am feeling so let down by my local health authority I've just today come to the same conclusion. There is a postcode lottery.

If you get nowhere, try your local MP's/councillors, they can have pulling power too, have known people go to press, if neglect severe.
Good Luck and keep fighting.

You should definitely request a full assessment by the Educational Psychologist. I'd put it in writing and address to Headteacher but copy in the SENCO.

Talk to your local Parent Partnership advisor - they are fully independent from school and will give you impartial advice (Google Parent Partnership to find out where your local one is based).

Contact your MP.

Written request for assessment.

Parent Partnership are good in these circumstances.

Check out the parent partnership scheme in the area you are moving to, my experience is that just like all other services some are good and some aren't. Good luck with your move, hope it goes/has gone well. Must admit, i am thinking of doing the same thing for the same reasons but have other children to think about and worried that if it turns out to be out of the pan and into the fire or however the saying goes!