Tylers-mum Report post Posted March 27, 2006 Not sure if I've posted this before but I'm tired so posting just incase I haven't. LOL T is currently in mainstream school and doing very well. If he continues, then my guess is that he'll be going to mainstream high school when the time comes (not for a few years yet). There are 3 high school in this area, one is a catholic so that's out but the other 2 are very rough schools. I am really NOT happy for T to go to either of them. No doubt he will be bullied, pull in by the wrong crowd and basically, he'll fall to pieces. Is there anything I can do to get him into another school (none chosen yet though) where I believe he'll manage well and be happy?? REALLY don't want him going to the schools round here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PinkSapphireAngel Report post Posted March 28, 2006 I am at that horrible stage right now My son is not statemented which I don't think helps either, we went to all the open evenings back in October (preference forms had to be in by early November) Obviously my main concern when visiting these schools was their special needs departments, I must say there was only ONE school I was really with on that score, I spoke to their SENCO who was watching my son very closely and knew what his diagnosis was from watching him, it turns out his son has the same thing ASD/AS and even sees the same specialist, he was able to tell me what the school could do for him even without a statement and it included what sounded like a well though out transfer programme to help him move from primary to secondary school. Unfortunately this school is apparently seriously oversubscribed and as we do not live that near to it we are over 90th on their waiting list and can move up or down the list. We were allowed 6 preferences on our form but we only found 2 school (including the favourate). We had to wait till March for places to be offered and we were furious to find the ONLY school we have been offered for Luke is the nearerst school ( one we specifically did NOT list) it is ALL BOYS and has been on special measures for over 4 years so could not be more wrong for a child like Luke. I refused the place and sent a copy of a letter written by our school SENCO saying why this offer is totally inappropriate, I explained I am willing to home school Luke myself till a plce is available at our first choice school. Well the letter I got back from the LEA admissions people was a JOKE! They listed the other schools I already knew about and had visited and not liked, they also said they had shown my letters to the SEN people at the LEA but that they had said as Luke is not statemented (because they refused to even assess him !!! which we have now been to SENDIST for and are waiting verdict) they could do NOTHING to help. Then the letter said to either get Luke a place in one of the other schools or home school him as suggested in my letter or they would pass my details onto the Education Welfare Officer! So the usual LEA bully boy tactics. So as it stands right now my son is the only child in his year group without a secondary school place for this year! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted March 28, 2006 Hiya T,s mum we,ve just been through the whole HS selection process.If T is statemented come the time you will be able to select several choices.Places at HS are allocated to statemented kids first, Iwould begin to enquire about HS with resourced provision in your LEA , find out from your autism support group and local nas members where their kids go to and how good the provision has been.Good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flora Report post Posted March 28, 2006 TM, you can't start soon enough to look in to secondary provision. I left it late... long story! If you can get a statement in place before hand all the better; as suze said you have more choice and places are allocated to statemented kids first. Lauren Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tylers-mum Report post Posted March 28, 2006 Thanks for all your replies. My son is statemented and also recieves school action plus. I would REALLY prefer he goes to a special ASD high school but he is coping in mainstream so dunno if the LEA would let me have him go there. The school would require transport being given by the LEA also and is out of our catchment area. Any advise on this one please?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted March 28, 2006 For your LEA to fund a special school placement, you have to show that the available mainstream schools are unable to meet your child's needs, not what the special school can offer, IYSWIM... This can include very small class size, all staff specifically trained in ASCs, specialist support for any mental health problems, intensive OT and/or SAL, very high staff/pupil ratio, etc... You will have to prove that your son needs this level of support, and that the mainstream schools are unable to provide it. It really helps to have specialist evidence from an EP, consultant, etc, to strengthen your case. HTH! Bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted March 28, 2006 I agree with Bid ,the lea are funding a resourced place / transport for my son, this placement was backed up by the autism support unit and specialist teacher(who is lea maintained and helps with literacy).We began to mention our thoughts on HS at his year 5 review, but if you are really worried broach the subject with the lea at T,s next review...............test the water , Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
niki Report post Posted March 31, 2006 ive no advise to give other than good luck as i am pooping myself over this very same thing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
