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Help with mainstream schools?

AngelaD

Hi, I'm pretty new to the site - my son (age 6) was diagnosed with an ASD/prob Aspergers about 6 months ago.  I'm really looking for ideas from people about how to deal with my son's primary school. 

They are aware of his diagnosis and he is "ok" in mainstream school for the time being, but the school are soooo not getting that my son has this diagnosis and is not just a "naughty boy".  He has been suspended 3 times in the last fortnight as he has lashed out when things get to a certain anxiety level, rather than removing him / allowing him to remove himself from the environment the teachers are physically restraining him to a point that he is then terrified so lashes out at them.  They say that there is "no excuse" for his behaviour towards teachers restraining him and so I get called out of work to collect him.

I totally get that the teachers should not be worried about physical harm from a 6yrold but they are making the situation so much worse than it could be and are working on removing all the support we had previously. 

Who do I talk to to get help to make them listen?  At home my son is a loving, wonderful little boy (well...most of the time - he is a 6yrold boy!)  At school he turns into this little monster and I just don't know what to do??

Parents

  • I think the school may be on dodgy ground here.  By law, there are procedures that must be followed when a school wishes to exclude a pupil, including:

    • making sure that an appropriate investigation has been carried out
    • considering all the evidence available, taking into account the schools behaviour and equal  opportunities policies, and, if applicable, the Race Relations Act and Equalities Act
    • talking to the pupil to hear his/her version of events
    • checking whether the incident may have been provoked, for example by bullying or by racial or sexual harassment
    • if necessary consulting others but not anyone who may later have a role in reviewing the head teachers decision, such as a member of the governors discipline committee.

    Did the school take these steps prior to the exclusion/s?

    Also school governing bodies have a legal duty to do their best to make sure that the necessary educational provision is made for any pupil who has special educational needs.

    The school should try everything possible to keep a pupil with special educational needs in school. They may do this by:

    • seeking the advice of the local authority and other professional advice and support
    • asking the local authority to carry out a statutory assessment of the childs special educational needs
    • arranging an early annual review if the pupil has a statement of special educational needs.

    Did the school take any of these steps once your son was excluded?

    I'm guessing your son doesnt have a statement of SEN - my advice to you would be to set the wheels in motion to get one asap - this way you can get his rights enshrined in law rather than having to constantly negotiate with the school, who arent showing any understanding of his condition in my view, if they are treating him as 'naughty' when whats actually happening is he is lacking in the thinking and social competencies which result from his disability.

    The NAS Education Advice line will help you with both the statementing process and the difficulties around exclusion.

    I would definitely get everything in writing and do everything in writing - that way if you need to go to an SEN tribunal further down the line, or if you need to challenge any of the school's decisions, you will have evidence in writing.

    You could also contact your local Parent Partnership Service - they are set up to help families in situations like this.  You can find your local PPS here:

    http://www.parentpartnership.org.uk/

    Hope that helps - good luck

    Zoe

Reply

  • I think the school may be on dodgy ground here.  By law, there are procedures that must be followed when a school wishes to exclude a pupil, including:

    • making sure that an appropriate investigation has been carried out
    • considering all the evidence available, taking into account the schools behaviour and equal  opportunities policies, and, if applicable, the Race Relations Act and Equalities Act
    • talking to the pupil to hear his/her version of events
    • checking whether the incident may have been provoked, for example by bullying or by racial or sexual harassment
    • if necessary consulting others but not anyone who may later have a role in reviewing the head teachers decision, such as a member of the governors discipline committee.

    Did the school take these steps prior to the exclusion/s?

    Also school governing bodies have a legal duty to do their best to make sure that the necessary educational provision is made for any pupil who has special educational needs.

    The school should try everything possible to keep a pupil with special educational needs in school. They may do this by:

    • seeking the advice of the local authority and other professional advice and support
    • asking the local authority to carry out a statutory assessment of the childs special educational needs
    • arranging an early annual review if the pupil has a statement of special educational needs.

    Did the school take any of these steps once your son was excluded?

    I'm guessing your son doesnt have a statement of SEN - my advice to you would be to set the wheels in motion to get one asap - this way you can get his rights enshrined in law rather than having to constantly negotiate with the school, who arent showing any understanding of his condition in my view, if they are treating him as 'naughty' when whats actually happening is he is lacking in the thinking and social competencies which result from his disability.

    The NAS Education Advice line will help you with both the statementing process and the difficulties around exclusion.

    I would definitely get everything in writing and do everything in writing - that way if you need to go to an SEN tribunal further down the line, or if you need to challenge any of the school's decisions, you will have evidence in writing.

    You could also contact your local Parent Partnership Service - they are set up to help families in situations like this.  You can find your local PPS here:

    http://www.parentpartnership.org.uk/

    Hope that helps - good luck

    Zoe

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