Feeling intimidated

[Kermitcapers]

I started working at an independent specialist school in September which supports kids with autism, additional needs etc. I am teaching a class of five. I am finding it very hard to get the support in place. The senco (who's also part of management) can do no wrong in the HT's eyes yet I ask her for advice and I'm told to "use my brain" I ask to see children's notes and I'm told I don't have time to dwell on individual cases. She is nasty and nobody in the staff room likes her, yet she has this hold. She critises me without offering advice and I've only been here a term! The parents are all nice and I have to ask them the information (which obviously they've supplied to SENCO who won't share with me) I think they must think I'm an idiot. I'm having sleepless nights. im now keeping a diary as I'm feeling really worried but I'm not sure where to go with it. Others have approached the Head in the past apparently, but they're the ones who've ended up going. As its independent the local authority have no duras diction. Any advice gratefully received.

Continue keeping your diary.

Who is your line manager, can you ask them for the children's notes?

Good luck!

Unfortunately it's the Senco who holds all the specific notes related to their learning difficulties etc. She is also part of the management team and for whatever reason she can do no wrong in the eyes of the HT. I've tried speaking to colleagues who just give me a knowing look and say to cope as best I can or joke about it. They seem to have given up caring. Apart from it being a stressful and odd environment to work in, the kids are losing out.

Depends how much you want to keep your job. My guess is she isn't sharing the paperwork because it isn't kept up to date and she is hiding this. If the head is no good, I would email asking her for it. Refer to fact that you need to read the information in order to ensure the children's needs are met. If she still doesn't comply, you could embarrass her in front of a parent by making it clear that you haven't seen the information as it is only available to the senco. As a parent I would not be impressed that the class teacher had not read the paperwork. If head is as crap as you describe then probably best to get out and go elsewhere though. Head should be sorting the senco out and ensuring she is doing her job.

Do you mean their IEP's? You CANNOT prepare for them adequately if you don't see their IEP's. Impossible!

Thank you. You're confirming my gut feelings too. I just needed to check I'm not losing my sanity! It's a shocking mess to be honest.

Have you a paper/email trail of requests to see the pupils's IEP's? If not, you need to start building evidence. Keep it simple, friendly (despite not feeling it) and escalate the requests if she ignores, refuses.
1st email - polite request.
2nd - repeat request, one reason
3rd - repeat request, state that it's impossible to plan adequately for their individual needs without this information and is there any particular reason why you cannot have it? Be reasonable and amicable throughout so you cannot be 'accused' of unreasonable behaviour.

If this doesn't work, forward the whole group of emails to your HT/another SLT person and ask them to sort.

In my school and in any other, I'd get my arse kicked for NOT looking at them.

Surely their learning targets should relate directly to the IEPs?

Can you keep e-mail traces asking for these plans that are being ignored? Try and have all contact by e-mail. Make copies of the originals and their replies. Keep making your diary & go to your union!