Mainstream or Special School

[Tez]

Ofsted have now published their views on whether mainstream or special schools cater best for pupil's with SEN. There is more information HERE.

[annie]

It makes you wonder exactly who will eventually convince the Government that SEN as it is, doesn't work and is failing so many children .

[CarerQuie]

The whole situation is so frustrating.

 

my son is in a special school and he has made excellent progress because the staff are ambitious and the provision has been excellent.

 

The class teacher even says she thinks he'd COPE in mainstream but we both know he wouldn't thrive.I think it's when children don't thrive that parental dissatisfaction increases.

 

Until they acknowledge that there is more than just academic attainment at stake,nothing will change.xx

[Kathryn]

So pupils benefit from good spcialist teaching - amazing discovery.

 

They appear to be saying that the setting is an unimportant factor. For pupils on the autistic spectrum though, being in the right environment is crucial to their well being and progress.

 

A slightly worrying report, if there is no apparent difference after all between mainstream and special schools - it could be used to justify closing more special schools - they cost more.

 

Here is a link to the Ofsted report in full.

 

K x

Edited July 13, 2006 by Kathryn

[Karen A]

Tez Thanks so much for posting the link.We are deciding today or maybe tom how to respond to draft statement for Ben.He has Aspergers traits and currently exhibits EBD as a result of lack of social understanding and the resulting anxiety.So fits the description very well.The report could not have been more timely.I will now include the need for adequate training for whoever works with him in our response.I am also more determinedto insist on full time TA support if he is to cope in mainstream.Thanks again.Karen

[caren]

I choose to put K in mainstream he has full support and speech and langage go in once a week and a autsim specialist too which is working well for K , last term i requested all teachers had training in autsim the head master agreed straight off so put it in place straight away

 

At his review last week all people attended and they requested his TA got more training and that was put into place too

 

Overall mainstream is working for K

 

BUT not for L , the teachers can't cope with him he's bullyed and picked on from kids and teachers !!!

But so late in his education i'm at a stand still would special school be ok for him , mainstream is'nt even thought about home edding him but as his social skills are'nt brilliant don't think that would be in the best for L

 

 

I suppose alot has to do with the teachers and there understanding as well as the schools

[curra]

I've been told that in order to access a special school or a mainstream school with a special unit a child needs first a statemement , so I wonder if there will be such a great change in reality. Getting an assessment for a child is a bureaucratic process that can take sometimes years. My son should have been assessed when he was in primary 4 when he was seen first by an Ed P, but only now, in year 8, the LEA has accepted to assess him. If he gets a statement it will be in year 9, and 5 years of his education have been wasted.

I think the Ofsted report is a positive milestone but until the statementing process is not changed we won't be hearing many good news for our kids.

TA's can do an excellent job with SEN children. Many have the experience and more time than the teachers to support SEN children, so I don't understand why they need to criticize them. All teachers should have more SEN training, but the role of the TA is invaluable.

 

Curra

[oracle]

I was at a meeting in my own Authority yesterday when one of our leading professionals drew everyones attention to the Select Committee report and it's finding and said that hopefully the tide will begin to turn and they can then really address the needs of children with SEN. It made me realise that many of our professionals are being forced to follow a doctrine they neither believe in or trust in because they see the results of that doctrine first hand and are left trying to rectify them with them with their hands tied and their mouths gagged.

 

Oracle