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School refuses to allow autistic child to attend an induction day

NAS50713

My son has an EHCP that names a particular secondary school for him to attend in September. The headmaster has nevertheless twice now telephoned us to say that they will not give him a place and the LA must reconsider. He said that if he does attend in September the school will insist on his EHCP being re-written in November stating that the school is unsuitable and he will have to be removed anyway. Today Nathan should have attended an induction day with 55 others from his school, but the headmaster refused to allow him to attend. I should add that Nathan has no challenging behavioural problems, he is extremely mild-mannered such that his vulnerability is a major issue for us. Unbelievably this is a Church of England School that prides itself on its Christian caring ethos!         

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  • in reply to NAS50713

    Awww, he sounds like such a little darling; of course you feel angry and deflated, it's shocking isn't it, there should be a provison for him and he could go with his friends, I get it.  Guess the older I get the less fight I have left in me, life's tiring when we're fighting for change isn't it when what we want to feel is we are living, I find working with what I can do a much better option for me - a lot less stress and fight needed. Take the time you need to be with how you feel and gather your thoughts over the next few days. I would say you have a strong case for some funding but I dont know where from. He may well have just had a lucky escape. You will make this come good for him x

  • in reply to NAS62936

    I was thinking about tutors and distance learning. There is a College that will teach Y3 to Y11 online, so Nathan could perhaps study different subjects at different levels, Maths - that he is quite good at - at Y6 level, but English maybe Y4 for example. But these courses are £450 each subject, so 5 subjects would be over £2000 a year. Tutors seem to charge about £25 to £35 an hour. We just couldn't fund this without some financial support.

    Sadly Nathan is developmentally younger than his years and has not developed mutual friendships. He is well looked after by the other kids in his class who have grown up with him, but doesn't really have any friends.

    Sorry but feeling a bit pessimistic at present.

    Thanks for your thoughts though I do appreciate it. 

  • in reply to NAS50713

    Unsure, hopefully others can answer.  I think mental health is the number one priority, if this is in good shape then he will naturally want to learn, the school really needs to be autism aware and friendly doesn't it.  With home school you could take a more autonomous approach, learn what he wants to learn, follow his curiosity and include some functional skills, and go to clubs and activities he wants to go to - mainstream often comes with a number of challenges and anxieties and very little to no choices; Ive also heard some dreadful stories due to a lack of understanding and support - so it makes sense the school needs to be welcoming and geared up. 

    Ordinarily, I know parents don't get funding, there's a bit of push to get the GCSE exam fees and course materials provided now but as yet there is no change, making a compulsory register seems to be the first aspect on the Government's agenda as they don't really know how many kids are currently home schooled; but it may be different with this EHCP?  There's lots of support online and free resources available.

    Colleges and Universities seem to offer much better support; secondary schools ought to follow their example.  The support is in place there; home school is not a barrier to HE either if he does want to go that way eventually.

    Does he have any friends in Junior school that you could keep in touch with?