School Security

[marmalade]

I know that it's nearly the holidays, but a couple of incidents have happened at school just lately and I was hoping that y'all could advise as to what you would do when September comes....

 

DD has an ASD which the school are extremely aware of. They initiated her assessment in November last year, and they have been included in each and every CAHMS and SALT assessment etc etc etc ever since.

 

Her ASD is not particularly well-known, but school and I shared all the information about her condition that we could find, and everything was fine and dandy. Her particular flavour of ASD is known as Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome which causes her to, well, avoid demands! It looks like "won't" but it's actually "can't". She gets terribly anxious about potential demands and panics that she will be unable to perform them, her anxiety reaches such a level that she is unable to do anything, even if it is something that she will benefit from (being asked to get a biscuit for herself, for example). If asked to do something as part of a group/team she will invariably run away and hide, so that she has control of an adult who then has to retreive her. There is much more, but hopefully you get the gist.

 

Now I think that the novelty is wearing off.

 

She came home very unhappy one day because she was told by her teacher that she was "selfish" because she couldn't join in with a football session. (I hate it when she has a bad day at school as she 'takes it out' on me!)

 

She leaves her classroom (she's in Reception) all the time as she can't cope but up until last week she had no safe haven to go to. (I complained, so they found her somewhere!)

 

She was allowed to leave the school premises. I found her outside the (supposedly!) locked school gates at hometime. A member of staff is supposed to open the gate at home time, and they allowed my 5 year old daughter to leave. Parents of Reception children are supposed to collect them from the classroom door. When I returned her to her classroom her teacher didn't even realise she was missing. Anything could have happened to her. I actually walked past her and only saw her out of the corner of my eye and the only reason that happened is that she has very distinctive long red hair. I was incredibly lucky that she went where she did. She could easily have run off or gone into the road (a bus route, so it's busy-ish) and they would never have known.

 

Today I went to collect her and instead of a member of staff opening the gate I saw a class of Year 6 (possibly) had been let out and THEY opened the gate. How can this be secure?

 

Yet again my daughter was not in her classroom today, but (thanks to the eagle eye of another parent) she was spotted in Reception's outside play area, sitting in a wendy house. She could easily have taken it upon herself to go somewhere else. I never saw her leave the classroom. I don't even know if she was ever in there in the first place!

 

I have complained in the strongest possible terms to the Head Teacher (I hinted at neglect and a breach of duty of care) when I found her outside, and they did start to escort her to me, but that has finished now. They just stopped doing it. So, the minute it stops. she escapes again.

 

How many more times is this going to happen before her luck runs out? It shouldn't have happened in the first place.

 

The Head admitted to me that an outer door (which is next to my dd's classroom) is no longer child-proof, but it has not been repaired and she cannot guarantee that dd will not get out again.

 

The Head is leaving at the end of this term (Wednesday), so what is the point of moaning to her? There is a new deputy starting in September (the school hasn't had a deputy in all the time dd has been there) and 2 interim Heads until January.

 

What is the best thing to do?

 

List my concerns (there are more than written here, but too many to go in to!) and send them to school with her in September?

 

Arrange to see the new staff and explain about dd's condition and my concerns?

 

Take my complaint further?

 

What??? I don't know what to do next. I complain and things change for a few days and then it goes back the way it was again.

 

This school is so keen to be seen as inclusive, but they only seem to include the child and not their condition.

[mrs.ddh]

First off - completely unacceptable that a child that young is allowed to leave a class without the teacher aware, and even worse that the child is able to leave the school grounds. This happened once when my son was at primary - and you are right about your luck possibly running out - the child actually left the school and walked over a mile home on his own - at the age of six. Gulp, I know, and I do not wish to frighten you, but what else would a child do if it feels it wants to go home? Luckily, your daughter stayed on the grounds. What was that expression I read on the bullying thread? The staff at your child's school should be b***h-slapped!

 

This forum has taught me to keep a paper trail and a diary - I suggest you do the same. Log all incidents and put them in writing in a letter to the governors if the school keeps changing staff. (I wonder why that is?) When school resumes again in the autumn, I would go to the new Head and make her/him aware of the incidents. There is honestly no excuse for a child being allowed to leave the classroom unchallenged, especially as they are aware of it happening before and should be keeping an eye out in case it happens again.

 

I know what you mean about the school including the child but not the condition. They say they will help, things change for a bit, and then it's back to the same old same old. Grr argghh!

 

ddh

[witsend]

Wow - Marmalade I'm gobsmacked at what I've just read! It's unbelievable the school are putting your daughter at risk like this. These are really serious child safety/protection issues never mind school policy issues!

I agree with ddh about keeping a log of all incidents, and yes you should be arranging a meeting with the new head asap next term. Does your dd have a statement? If so then I'd be calling for a review meeting asap too to discuss all of the problems your having with the school. Do you have a representative like someone from parent partnership who could also help fight your corner?

Also I think even though there is a new head starting next term and hopefully they will be more effective than the present one, it may be an idea to write to the LEA with your concerns and arrange a meeting with them to discuss it.

At least you have a few weeks to gather your strength and get organised now ready for battle!!

Good luck - Luv Witsend.

[pumpkinpie]

Negligent and being sued!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dont mess with this write to the head and governrs saying your child is in danger and being diecriminated against because of her disability. if its not sorted by .......... when school reopens, you will be contacting the lea etc!

[jlp]

That is absolutely appalling! I read that, then noticed your daughter is in reception and couldn't believe that this could happen - once possibly but not several times!

 

My son is a runner when stressed and has ran out of school many times, usually he stays in the yard but several times he's got out of the gate or under the fence. He's always been followed by a member of staff and has never been left alone, and they are very aware that he will run when stressed (his classroom was right next to a fire door that couldn't be locked) so keep an eye on him. Actually PDA has been mentioned with regard to ds too.

 

I really think you need to take this higher.

 

Is there Autism Liasion going into school? Or possibly the governers or even the LEA? I think the fact that your 5yr old daughter with asd has been found several times outside school is a major, major risk and if anything happens to her they will be very much liable (I would hope!)

 

Let us know how you get on, I'm shocked at the lack of care shown.

[di30]

OMG !

Thats is very bad indeed !

 

I thought it was bad enough with my son with ASD etc when we had to report him missing from school to the police.............and he is 12 !!

 

I agree with what everyone else have said.

Good luck hon and don't let them overlook this...............this is serious.

 

Thinking of you.

Di xx

[LizC]

<'> Hi I really understand what you are going through as Matthew is very similar to your dd. he used to run out of the school into the playground, can be very scarey. I was really upset too. anything could have happened to him! when he first started school he went to the toilet only for a yr 6 pupil to find him in the toilets at this door that just opens already for going home with coat and lunch box! I dread to think what may have happened if they hadn't found him! eventually in yr 2 he could not cope in mainstream anymore, he was making a den in the corner of the classroom to get away and constantly disrupted the classroom with singing and noises etc and running away. he started to get violent throwing stuff, hitting and kicking. we all decided to take him out of this unhappy situation, they started to teach him on a one to one in a room on his own, part time. finally he got a statement and after the 6weeks holidays is going to go to a special needs school. I hope you can get it all sorted at your dds school, all you want is for them to be safe!

[Stella63]

Hi Marmalade

 

The school situation you're talking about is sounding horribly familiar and the reaction of the Head is giving me feelings of deja vu!!!

 

Were you recently attending the Freemantles meetings on a friday morning at this particular school?????

 

I have had to take OJ out for the last week and a bit and he is only going back for his last day on Wednesday.

 

the advice given is right. Put everything down in writing and start seeing the new Deputy and senco at the beginning of term. Also get freemantles involved and that whole team that was attending those meetings - they are all on your side!

 

Good luck. I must admit that I will be so pleased to see the back of this school. Hopefully we won't have the same problems at secondary.

 

stella x

[marmalade]

Hi Stella

 

Yes it is me!!!!

 

 

My main concern is making sure I corner the right person first time, as I cannot afford to waste time over this. I shouldn't have to wait outside school every morning until they shut the gate, but I feel I have no choice. You know how close Reception class is to the gate.....

 

As I now have the email addresses of most of the professionals at the Friday meetings, I shall just send a blanket message to each of them and see what happens....!

 

Please can you do a rain dance for me for Monday morning? It's the dreaded sports day, and as OJ won't be there anyway... I don't want much, just a small localised torrential cloudburst over the school!!

 

If you need/want any email addresses then just PM me, I don't have parents just the pros!

 

I have very mixed feelings after reading your post. I'm stunned that you too have had the same experience/treatment as us, deeply disappointed that OJ has taught them nothing and hopeful that he will fare better in September.

 

Marmalade x

[Stella63]

hi Marmalade,

 

I'm dancing away and it is trying to rain!! Can't imagine they will go ahead with it on wet grass - all those health and safety regs!!!!!

 

Stella x

[pragmatic]

Hi Marmalad,

 

 

The advice given is great. I would only ask you to put every thing in writing to the chair of governors Right Now, don't wait for next term- all official complaints to head of governors need to be read by the new head or deputy. When you write your letter spell out all your concerns, child protection, neglect, inclusion and all. Also say that you will need a prompt meeting with the new class staff, SENCO, new head or deputy at the very beginning of the autumn term and that you will have to contact the LEA if this situation is repeated before Wednesday or if the matter is not taken seriously enough and you receive some satisfactory response.

 

 

I am afraid you have to sound really clear and aware of your rights in the letter and not just HINTING

 

 

My other advice is that the school situation may worsen and you may start thinking of moving her from this school all together, she is still in Reception and it is better not to wait too long- If I am in you shoes I may start phoning up other schools (if they are still open) and if there are places have a quick chat about her condition and follow your gut feeling-- if the school seems a hopeless case please don't wait too long (like me then I kept regretting it)

 

All best luck

 

 

Pragmatic

[marmalade]

hi Marmalade,

 

I'm dancing away and it is trying to rain!! Can't imagine they will go ahead with it on wet grass - all those health and safety regs!!!!!

 

Stella x

 

Erm.....D'you think you could stop now please?

 

We have plenty of rain now, and they are going to have to cancel, unless of course they opt for a water sports day!!

 

Thanks very much for the jigging about, though. Very much appreciated!

[Stella63]

Hi Marmalade,

 

That really made me laugh!!!!

 

whats even funnier is I was having a new path built in my garden today and the workmen were really cursing the rain!! Ha ha ha what a warped sense of humour!

 

Stella x