worried we made the wrong decision moving to special needs school

[mebaasmum]

DS1 moved to a specialist school at 11, now end of year 8. We moved hom because we didnt think he would cope in a large secondary without so much support it wpuld stiffle him. At primary he was always very well behaved, though not at home!!!. Work wise he was OK but slow and quite dependant on his LSA. (same one from reception till year 6). I have been a bit concerned for a while. (Its a boarding school ). Over Easter I thought there was a big deterioration in his behaviour, eating habits , hand skills. Just had his report, Other than music, he appears to be loud, silly and attention seeking. Academically I dont think he is acheiving what he should be. But thats me. All the boys in his year group have some behaviour issues so there isnt good role models.His statement review is in June. By the way he adores the place. Do we leave him there. DH thinks so, move him back to mainstream. Probibly will be in lower groups so may encounter behaviour problems. Or home ed

Can I ask- why mainstream? Would not special needs non residential be a good mid road?

All the SN schools near us are also for children with quite marked learning disabilities which he doesnt have. Our local school is a good school but not the right place for DS1.He is of normal/above average ability according to ed psych. No local SEN schools have anyone getting any GCSE's!

Ah that's a shame: we're fortunate here as there are more resource bases (schools for chidlren with SN atathced to MS schools that allow integration where feasible) than actuyal SNU's and ds3 attends one, as I hope ds1 will in yr 7 depening on a review nextw eek (eek)

Can I ask his DX?

Are there any non state provisions suitable that you could argue for? My friend's child attends a unit that is atathced to a private school nd she is funded by LEA becuase there wasn't a palce for her in LEA provision at that stage

Hi

Visual impairment, ASD and hearing impairment(mild) also some fine motor issues.
I dont think the onset of adolescence helps!
Hope your review gores well

Thanks

Have you thought of BIBIC for him? he just sounds their 'type' IYKWIM (they stop taking at 16 so worth getting in now- ahve a google)

Thanks
Will have a look

why dont you give MS with full 1:1 a try? That boy on autistic me made me realise our kids are far stronger than we realise iugwim.

I would be really concerned about regression as he didnt in primary? Is this is because he needed role models...is he a copy cat like my ds...if so MS peers really important.
Is less expected of your ds another problem...go and find out at school is help with writing etc being given i,e pre writing exercises (just started with ds works fab).

It's bloody hard though it's so frightening if making right decision or not? I got Annual Review today and want to ask for Ind school smaller classes for ds but to frightened too mainly incase they refuse to change the statement and will have to wait another year!

You need to think of every situation for your ds though

I think you are right about role models, He has certainly picked up traits from his new school mates which arent all desirable.Conversly he know understands his disabilities better and I think would be more able to ask for help than he could at the end of primary, so may be in a position to cope with mainstream now.