Mainstream or special schools?

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
  • (Note: I’m in the States, so things are surely different over here)

    My daughter is in a mainstream classroom, but she spends 20% of the time in a social/emotional support classroom (basically the start and end of the day). They’re trying to gradually increase her time in the mainstream classroom. I feel this has been majorly beneficial for her. Before we moved she was stuck in a mainstream classroom 100% of the time and she struggled so hard throughout 1st grade.

Reply
  • (Note: I’m in the States, so things are surely different over here)

    My daughter is in a mainstream classroom, but she spends 20% of the time in a social/emotional support classroom (basically the start and end of the day). They’re trying to gradually increase her time in the mainstream classroom. I feel this has been majorly beneficial for her. Before we moved she was stuck in a mainstream classroom 100% of the time and she struggled so hard throughout 1st grade.

Children
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