O/T sen school update

you may remember previous threads about my son Lucas and how we are hoping to get him into a specialist school - Farleigh college for pupils with asperger syndrome and similar disorders.

He had his two day assessment last week and although they are in the prcoess of writing their report -they are going to offer him a place there, BUT and it is a big but...... his annual review isnt until 26th March and we have been advised that as Farleigh is an independant school ( the local authority do send children there) we will have to fight and prove our case as to why he should go there and not to a local authority sen ( the two local to us are EBD schools) school which means almost certainty of going to tribunal.

We just hope that its not a case of it being given with one hand but taken away with another!

If any of you have any advice on how we can put together a stronger case we are all ears!!! x

i can sympathise, i was summonsed to George's headteacher last week who sat and told me my son was a very naughty boy who's life at the school was limited. she told me that we can not keep hiding behind his asd and adhd. he has already been excluded for 2 days and he only started there in Sept. she told me he needed a statement because of his behaviour and has now denied saying it. She was horrible to me. I believe the main stream school is to big for him to cope with. thinking of requesting a statement myself now. everything is always a battle and it is the children who are suffering.

The problem with George is that he is what they call ticking along academically although his sat scores are very low.

i am getting myself geared up for a big fight

x

I don't think I can add anything to what I have previously said but keep positive.

samisheen:

he has already been excluded for 2 days and he only started there in Sept

you can appeal (even though its already happened) against the schools descision to exclude him if you feel that it was down to his disability, as they are then breaking the law, i didnt do this with lucas as we are already in the throws of finding an alternative placement and just didnt want that extra battle although i know its one we would have won.

To appeal against it you would need to write to the board of govorners at the school x

im up for the fight but i just want to get on with it now!

I have appealed just waiting to hear. it is a long drawn out process x

samisheen:

I have appealed just waiting to hear. it is a long drawn out process x

 

Good on you!!!

its hard not to get worn down by it all but we just have to keep going, i gave i last time but heck im not making that same mistake twice, and being half way there with the offer of a place i intened to fight it all the way to enable him to take up that offer and be given the best chance of progression and an independant future because without it i can see he will be dependant well into adult hood x

Good Luck!

I work in a SEN school, and have found that those who fight the most  get what they need especially if you get your current head teacher on board and the class teacher on your side (in fact anyone else who works with him).

Other that that keep positive (as someone has alread said) and good luck! xxx

Jellyflower:

Other that that keep positive (as someone has alread said) and good luck! xxx

Thank you,

We do have the support of Lucas' current school but as will will probably know the local authority will probably try to send him to one of their local schools and we have to build a strong enough case as to why Farleigh would be more suitable, we do have a solicitor advising us at the moment but there isnt alot she can do until we go to appeal - watch this space!!! i WILL be back!! lol x

O/T slightly but our local primary school was so oversubsribed last year and just to add to the above about fighting, those that fought hardest got places...some had to appeal 5 or 6 times and go sit outside the local council offices....totally different scenario but i think the old adage of it's the wheel who squeaks the loudest gets greased is appropriate!

good luck lorna and lucas xxxx

PLEASE post this on the BT forum (and the DW baby talk if you are registered)there are really knowledgeable mums over there who will be able to help you

emsa1:

O/T slightly but our local primary school was so oversubsribed last year and just to add to the above about fighting, those that fought hardest got places...some had to appeal 5 or 6 times and go sit outside the local council offices....totally different scenario but i think the old adage of it's the wheel who squeaks the loudest gets greased is appropriate!

 

good luck lorna and lucas xxxx

 

i know what you mean!! when we were trying to get lucas statemented about 7 years ago i said to them that i would camp outside the offices if i had to!! thanks also for the goodluck wishes, its just dawned on me that his annual review is next friday!! eeek!!!

and jules i have been floating about on BT (H2B and i are hoping to start TTC shortly after the wedding- hmm crazy i hear you shout lol) so i may well take your advice and post there too x x

Hi,

I have got the contact details of a lady in the North West who has (I think) been in similar situation.  She now delivers equal opps courses etc!

Her details are in work, I will pick them up tomorrow when I go in and PM them to you, I am pretty sure she would help you.  She also has template letters etc on a website that you could access.

Will be in touch tomorrow x

mwnci_bach:

Hi,

 

 

 

I have got the contact details of a lady in the North West who has (I think) been in similar situation.  She now delivers equal opps courses etc!

 

Her details are in work, I will pick them up tomorrow when I go in and PM them to you, I am pretty sure she would help you.  She also has template letters etc on a website that you could access.

 

Will be in touch tomorrow x

 

oooooh that would be great! thank you so much x

Just wanted to say Good luck with it. I know how frustrating it all is....especially when at the end of the day all you want is the best for your son. Why should everything be a fight with things like this??? It is so wrong.

PS....I got to the point where I threatened to burn the governments white paper 'every child matters'....in front of number 10 naked!!!! Luckily they didn't call my bluff!

I dont really have anything to add. Just letting you know I'm thinking of you and I really hope all this has the outcome that you and your son deserve. Stay strong! x