education

Our youngest Son started Comp in September (2021); we chose the same comp as our Eldest, as it wasn't too crowded and seemed pretty welcoming to children with special needs.

By 2021 - with very minimal transition period for any Children with special needs, who were due to start in September - the school had undergone some serious changes - from the top downwards.
In came an entire new "management structure", new philosophy, new school rules & regulations (see where this is going?), and also another 200 additional pupils in year 7 too (in 2020 they had taken on 150 additional etc).

Interventions and "strategies" were put in place to support our son, who is diagnosed ASD and has PDA, but masks. Those didn't seem to work.
Each morning was torture, getting him ready for school, to school - often in a distressed state. We felt guilty having to take him to school in such a distressed state - sending him to the lions den in effect.

At the same time, we tried to work with the School inclusion to make life easier for Him. But were constantly told "We'll deal with it" to the old Threats of referral to the Local Authority, if his attendance fell too low.
It seemed that many teachers didn't seem to understand Autism or even PDA.

One thing that concerned me, was the new emphasis on punishment for petty things (Detention for not bringing the correct ruler, or pencils to lessons), being forced to wear uniform/tie during hot weather, theatened with detention for simply not understanding homework.

All got too much, and by mid September, roughly 20 days in, we took him out of school, and he is now Home schooled.
For us, and him,  the best decision we have ever made - as our son is like a different person.He's intelligent, works hard, loves to learn, and also keeps in touch with his handful of close friends.

Home Schooling, was our Plan B, should things not work out in mainstream school - originally, our plan was to give School and the Interventions a chance to work, and look at the plan again around 1/2 term and see how things are going - though we were forced to take decisive action sooner rather than later. School went on to say that they would not back an EHCP, as our son was not disruptive in school.

I understand, For many, Home Schooling isn't an option - and my rambles aren't likely to provide any help, though this was our experience of the "system"!

Our youngest Son started Comp in September (2021); we chose the same comp as our Eldest, as it wasn't too crowded and seemed pretty welcoming to children with special needs.

By 2021 - with very minimal transition period for any Children with special needs, who were due to start in September - the school had undergone some serious changes - from the top downwards.
In came an entire new "management structure", new philosophy, new school rules & regulations (see where this is going?), and also another 200 additional pupils in year 7 too (in 2020 they had taken on 150 additional etc).

Interventions and "strategies" were put in place to support our son, who is diagnosed ASD and has PDA, but masks. Those didn't seem to work.
Each morning was torture, getting him ready for school, to school - often in a distressed state. We felt guilty having to take him to school in such a distressed state - sending him to the lions den in effect.

At the same time, we tried to work with the School inclusion to make life easier for Him. But were constantly told "We'll deal with it" to the old Threats of referral to the Local Authority, if his attendance fell too low.
It seemed that many teachers didn't seem to understand Autism or even PDA.

One thing that concerned me, was the new emphasis on punishment for petty things (Detention for not bringing the correct ruler, or pencils to lessons), being forced to wear uniform/tie during hot weather, theatened with detention for simply not understanding homework.

All got too much, and by mid September, roughly 20 days in, we took him out of school, and he is now Home schooled.
For us, and him,  the best decision we have ever made - as our son is like a different person.He's intelligent, works hard, loves to learn, and also keeps in touch with his handful of close friends.

Home Schooling, was our Plan B, should things not work out in mainstream school - originally, our plan was to give School and the Interventions a chance to work, and look at the plan again around 1/2 term and see how things are going - though we were forced to take decisive action sooner rather than later. School went on to say that they would not back an EHCP, as our son was not disruptive in school.

I understand, For many, Home Schooling isn't an option - and my rambles aren't likely to provide any help, though this was our experience of the "system"!