Epiphany - now it all makes sense

[debs40]

You know, reading the threads about school and statutory assessments over the last few days has got me thinking more than usual.

Also, all this business about 'Outstanding' Primaries being turned in to Academies has had a similar effect because DS school is one of those which would jump at the chance.

I have often wondered, over the last year, why school has dragged its feet, why it was always reluctant to engage with external agencies, why it has gone out of its way at times to pretend there's nothing wrong while panicking at others at having to accomodate DS as there clearly is.

Now it has all fallen in to place.

They don't want children like DS do they? Ok, they can deal with SEN when it means catch up literacy or numeracy or any of those 'important' things that might impact on their SATs but all the other stuff - sensory, social communication etc - well that makes them feel like a social worker not an educator and that's a job for mum not them.

That's why they don't put children like DS on the SEN register and want to set IEPs etc.

That's why they keep saying '36 in a year next year that will be tough for DS' without suggesting how they will help.

That's why they ignore the additional provision he needs which is not related to academic work.

That's why they've asked me whether I'm considering a special school.

That's why they've trained with the IDP on dyslexia and not ASD - dyslexia is 'teacher' stuff. ASD is not.

This is a school which would become an Academy in a flash and you would be out on a imb fighting for basic provision even with a statement.

It all becomes so clear. That's ok. I feel I know where I stand now. Quite liberating really.

Where to move to though? I don't want to stay in an area like this as all the schools are very similar and we then have to deal with the poor state of secondary schools.

So anyone in the Hants/Dorset area - we're looking to flee over the Wilts border!!

You could be right BUT schools can easily be outstanding with a high number of SEN pupils, as long as they make good progress. So they might have something in their heads along this line, but they'd be wrong. Many special schools get outstanding ratings - it's about how much progress each child makes - and SEN children are actually expected to make slower progress, so in fact it helps schools to have more SEN pupils on their SEN register for this reason!

I think you're right. I think they would much prefer you left. And I think you should definately remove your child from that school if he isn't wanted there.

But of coures the million dollar question is how can you tell which school will be better for him?

I think the short answer to that is you can't. However the school doesn't have to be the best school in the world - it only has to be the best school that you could send your child to given your location restraints.

So I think you should research all the schools you could realisticly send him to. Then pick one and move. (If a school has a place you can pretty much move the next day.)

All you have to do is be reasonably sure that the new school will probably be better than his current one.

Then you have honestly done all you can.

givemevodka - good point BUT the fact is that they don't put children like DS on the SEN register in the first place and this is concerning. The success measurements re: SEN which help the school are largely academic i.e. value added for SATs but what happens if you have a child who is 'averaging'out academically anyway, why would you 'waste' resources on them?

He is not the only one. There is another ASD child in DS' class whose mum thought things were going swimmingly. She hadn't a clue about SEN registers, SA, SA+ etc and had thought a statement would miraculously be handed to her at some point when the school felt it necessary.

I think they understand SEN to be catch-up numeracy/literacy or anything which disrupts the school e.g. bad behaviour/school refusal. End of.

PeacefulLiz - thanks I agree about research. Problem is that I think we actually need to move away from this area entirely as the secondary schools have no accomodation for ASD and local children get bused across the county to North Wilts or into Hants.

I need to do some digging but it looks like we will all have to be on the move.

I have to say that Hants have been very good so far Debs (Winchester area). SA agreed on first app, Proposed statement issued with SALT & OT in Part 3. Special school allocated despite 32.5 hrs LSA support at MS being cheaper. Final statement issued by week 20.

Also, when I phoned to complain about her provision, the LA talked to the special school to see if she could start early & arranged for their outreach teacher to visit within 2 weeks.

Don't say it too loudly lou, or everyone will want to move there. What are house prices like?(wink)

Lou that is interesting. I live about 30 mins away from Winchester but in Wilts. I know Winchester is mind-boggingly expensive in terms of house prices. Are there any cheaper areas on the outskirts/villages?

The woman who used to own DS 2's nursery (a nursery with a great reputation for SEN) was primary school teacher for 20 years and told me that Hants are much better.

we had good provision in hants, oxon/ wilts border, and renfrewshire - some in outstanding schools, some not.

fwiw, i was involved with KIDS in winchester briefly, and was very impressed by some of the out of school stuff going on for more complex children - their summer playscheme is very good.

there are outstanding schools with outstanding sn provision, and special measures schools with outstanding sn provision - it's horses for courses. there are also all sorts of schools with rubbish sn provision. all over.

hope you find somewhere that suits, but moving isn't necessarily a guarantee of success? (we move with work, not through choice)

I know but what is the answer and how do you distinguish between a good school on SEN and a bad?

I mean just as a politician is never going to say we want to make streets less safe, teachers are never going to say we don't value all children. You just don't know until you are there.

The problem with the particular area here is that most schools are academically driven because we have the 11+. The children that don't pass often end up being bused out over the county border to different schools, so really why stay here?

i've met some very honest teachers

one ht told me that her school was not an appropriate setting for any of my three children (inc the sn one). another told me that children with pd would be welcomed whilst it was far more problematic to fund those with (for example) as/ asd.

but then i ask very honest questions - i like to keep things on a very open basis!

ultimately we all have to make decisions along the 'horses for courses' line - you know what your particular horse (!) needs, so you need to to get in the car and visit a few trainers lol... there will be a course out there that suits, but it probably won't fit into any particular model. face to face discussion with prospective hts have always given me a really good feel - it's a pita to have to drive/ fly so far to find out whether you get a good vibe, but it's worked out for us.

The team that dealt with me covers:

"Alresford, Bishops Waltham, Eastleigh, Hedge End, Romsey (north), Stockbridge, Swanmore, Winchester."

To be honest, I think that every area in that list has some houses that are going to be very expensive and others that will be more reasonable.

Bishops Waltham has some very pricey houses, but a 3 bed end/mid-terrace/semi on an ex-council (like in the '70's, ex) estate can be bought for around £160k.

Swanmore is slightly pricier; the same sort of house would cost at least £190k.

Eastleigh around £150k.

Alresford you are looking at at least £250k.

Hedge End is around £170-180k

Romsey £175+k

Stockbridge at least £190-200k

Winchester 190+k.

Thanks. House prices are really expensive where we are, but Winchester seemed like an additional 50-100k on top of that.

Will have a scout around!

2 bed terraces in Winchester seem to be at least 250k - yikes!

This one is up for £179,950.

Badger Farm is not far from the Hospital & has a Sainsburys, etc.

This one is £199,000. Two primary schools within 400m

It really is down to the individual leadership in the school - The head, SENCO & teachers have to care about the children first & foremost.
Sadly it seems too many have lostsight of the needs of the children, not sure if this is because of lack of resources, lack of support or just pure pressure of volume of work, but when things aren't good the most vulnerable (our children) are the first to see it.

Reading these posts I realise just how fortunate we are, ds2 is at a great ms primary with 1 to 1 provision. His teacher spends her evenings coming up with ideas to help, they actively seek support from outside agencies, the head arranges additional funding to provide new equipment etc.
I don't think its a case of all the good teachers are in this one school, I think it is just the ethos of the school that is right to start with & everyone follows.

I don't know what the cure isbut at the moment providing for children with SN in MS school is just too bloody hard for the majority of schools to want to try to provide.
I guess if access to provision was easier our kids wouldn't be seen as a burden.

Anon - it is really good to hear positive stories like yours. I don't know how you spot these schools though as if you go round schools they all say that they care about the children first and foremost!

It was just luck for us, ds1 was already at the school (not our catchment school) a local village primary with a generaly good reputation, but it did mean that I was able to see how happy the children with sn at the school seemed to be.
It is def the school of choice for parents of children with sn, although it doesn't have an sn unit or official sn status.
It really is about word of mouth & speaking to other parents, I don't think i ever read on ofsted report or looked at any statistics.

LA say the school DS is at is most ASD friendly!