Reduced timetables and legality

[DampSquib]

Hi there.

My son's school is threatening to reduce his timetable for the remainder of term to half days. I have nobody who can care for him and if this happens and I have to pick him up, I will almost certainly lose my job .

I have a meeting with his headteacher on Monday to discuss this.

He is 5, has an ASC and has 'challenging behaviour' at the moment, but they have only just got him full time 1:1 in place (less tha two weeks ago) and I really think they need to give it a chance.

I can't afford a solicitor, but does anyone know if there is any law or guidelines I can use as a defence against this happening.

Can anyone help?

Dampsquib, have you contacted the LA? Most LAs only use part-time if parents agree.

Could you give a clue as to location?

Dampsquib, yes the school can reduce timetable,my son has been on reduced timetable (2 hours a day) for five months and is on going an the LEA are aware.

My son has been on a reduced timetable since Christmas, but that was with my full agreement, with daily face to face communication with the school so I could react immediately to issues as they arose or developed and with a plan for getting him enjoying school again and getting him re-integrated.

Can a parent request part days ? I know this totally changing the subject.

When I asked about reduced timetable before my son started school (as it was obvious to me that he would never cope!) I was told in no uncertain terms by his educational psychologist that no this could not happen as he had a legal right to a full time education. So from that I take it you could argue this with them. If he has a legal right to it surely they have to put stategies in place to help him.

I have to say however that my son has now been attending mornings only since December with the full suppport of everyone involved. This was at my request (tried again) and with a new Ed Psych and following a disasterous time at school! Now moved to a special school but still only mornings. It's been great for him but I don't have child care issues as I don't work.

I don't think it is legally correct without your agreement.

Hi

Ring the IPSEA helpline. You can find the number on their website at www.ipsea.org.uk. They can tell you what to do to challenge any attempts to reduce his timetable.

From the term in which the child attains his 5th birthday he is entitled to full time education.
Full time is defined by DCFS Circular 7/90 - Manangment of the school day.
For a KS 1 child that equates to 21 hours a week of bums on seat education chalk face time - not lunch or play time.
If the parent has been encouraged by the LA/School not to have him in school on a full time basis one would assume that is because the parents are making other alternative arrangments. This must be voluntary and with the agreement of the school and have an education end aim.
If it is not voluntary but is an alternative to exclusion then this would likely be an act of discrimination contary to the DDA.
In any case it is likely that by acting in this way the school is not meeting his needs in full and accordingly is misleading the parents/LA as to the severity of the childs needs.
Clearly, by virtue of these events there is a need for an immediate statutory assessmsent to determine the full extent of the childs needs and what additional support is now needed to meet those needs. This must be the case or else the school would be able to educate him on a fulltime basis?