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Mainstream or special schools?

TheCatWoman

The government says that they want most pupils with SEND to be in mainstream schools and for special schools to be only for the most adversely effected pupils.

Is this really a good idea and who is it good for?

I understand why the move to mainstream schools was done, SEND people shouldn't be shut away just because they're SEND and non SEND pupils need to know that everybody's different. But I question whether it's such a good idea, what if as an autistic person I can't cope with the noise and closeness of so many others around me, should I be sent to another room to "regulate myself", or would it be better for everybody, me in particular if I could be permanently in a quieter less busy space?

The above is an example, but I'd be really interested to hear what others think and how they or thier children were effected by either system

Parents

  • In my experience of working in education. Send schools are far more inclusive than mainstream. Send kids get isolated and shut away far more in mainstream because they just can't cope with it. What needs to happen in my opinion is more send schools that can meet the appropriate needs. Many send schools don't cater for "the Inbetweeners" those with neurodivergent needs but academically ok so that they are able to get the qualifications they deserve without unnecessary stress. They can throw as much money as they like into mainstream but if you've got kids that can't manage big classes, noisy corridors, busy playgrounds, loud dining rooms etc then they are not going to manage. 

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  • In my experience of working in education. Send schools are far more inclusive than mainstream. Send kids get isolated and shut away far more in mainstream because they just can't cope with it. What needs to happen in my opinion is more send schools that can meet the appropriate needs. Many send schools don't cater for "the Inbetweeners" those with neurodivergent needs but academically ok so that they are able to get the qualifications they deserve without unnecessary stress. They can throw as much money as they like into mainstream but if you've got kids that can't manage big classes, noisy corridors, busy playgrounds, loud dining rooms etc then they are not going to manage. 

Children