Thanks to everyone who made suggestions. I just wanted to say my son came home from school a very happy and contented child today. He met his new teacher and spent the whole day in her class...he assures me he 'doesn't like her' but the difference in him was dramatic.
The reasons for this seemed to be the fact that after much stone walling, I spoke directly to his very nice reception teacher (by passed the paperwork and head route..which were getting me no where)..who totally understood and we worked out a red card system recommended to me on the forum. Yesterday when my little one felt overloaded he whipped his card out and was taken somewhere quiet.
Worked a treat...he didn't even need to use it today, I think just knowing he has it in his pocket is helping him feel more relaxed.
He said his new teacher tells everyone to 'be quiet' and 'shut up' but he doesn't mind because the new classroom is much quieter than the Reception Group. She's more a point and teach, sit down and get on with it type by all accounts. As my son likes this style of learning..more boundaries, clear rules etc..I think it could be a turning point for him.
We have 3 more days left till the hols to keep trying the red card system and if he stays calm at least I'll have made a valid point to keep it in action...he won't let it out of his sight now..'this is BRILLIANT Mum!' as he waved it out of the school bus window today at me.
Thank you to everyone who made such good suggestions..we live to fight another day and just seeing that these 'tweaks' can make such an impact has been really heart warming today.
Thank you, thank you, thank you
xxxxx