Special schools

[sherrardk]

If your child gets a statement of educational needs and it states that they have to go to a special school can they make you take your child out of their current school and move them to the special school? Thanks.

[sherrardk]

Hi daffy, thanks for your comments. There is no choice as there is only one provider for children with speech and language problems. I have met the speech therapist (she was the speech therapist at the pre-school version we attended) and she didn't seem to 'get' my son then and I see no reason for her to have changed.

Hi Gavmac - thanks for the positivity, going to chase some funding and get the boy settled at the local primary if I can (he is used to the school as he has been in it and we go there everyday), he will have three siblings there to look out for him and I can meet with the staff before he starts (provided they both get a place as it is over-subscribed this year).

[cazzz1975]

I agree daffy, they are wonderful places, kids make such good progress

[cazzz1975]

I suppose it will depend what his statement will say sherr

[daffy654]

There is only one school with those provisions in the whole are acovered by your LEA? That is very odd.

[sherrardk]

Hi cazzzz - the speech therapist just came out with it today. He has a place at the special school if we want to take it but if it is just a primary version of the speech and language group we have already attended it won't be suitable for thing 2. Also, there's must surely be children who need the provision more than he does. Just think the speech therapist doesn't know what to do with him next. He can have speech therapy at school if he attends the local one, just want to get him some extra day-to-day help now.

[friedgreentomato]

Being with his siblings could hold him back - it did with my friend who had speech problems as her siblings would translate for her!

[sherrardk]

Hi daffy, we live in Hereford, it's very nice but a bit Hicksville!

[sherrardk]

Hi fried green - thing 1 is far too self-centred to speak for him.

[cazzz1975]

special school will be a much more superior version of what you are receiving locally, have you been to visit the special school?

[Barmaid]

My step son has severe language and communication difficulties. He had 1 to 1 TA support at primary with a speech therapist and it was hopeless. His statement at 11 prescribed a special school. Since then, we haven’t looked back, he is a different child. It meant huge upheaval for the family but we cannot praise this unit and its staff enough.

[sherrardk]

Only found all this out today so haven't had a chance yet. My gut instinct, given our experience of the pre-school version and the same speech therapist, is that it won't suit the boy's needs.

[cazzz1975]

I think its wrong to disregard the special provision without even visiting. Im assuming with the speech and language therapist informing you he has a place in special school his statement must be ready?

[sherrardk]

Hi Barmaid - my son only has speech problems (he either leaves the end, beginning or both off words). I think, if he had TA support until his speech improves he would thrive in mainstream schooling. I have discussed this with himself (ex-primary deputy head) and we are in agreement. Just trying to work out now if he got a statement could they make us move him to the special school. Glad to hear your step-son is getting the help he needs.

[sherrardk]

Hi cazzz - no statement in place, not been seen by the doctor yet. Think it is all a bit strange, she just came out with 'I think he should go to a special school for intensive speech therapy' - she then rang me this afternoon and told me he had a place of he wanted it.

[cazzz1975]

it will depend on where the professionals assessing your son feel your sons needs will be met. if the local authority feel this will be in a special school then he would have to move to a special school.

If you feel your sons educational needs are not too severe they may feel his needs could be met in a mainstream equipped with a special needs unit attached.

his needs may be sufficient for a senco to work with him a few hours a week at mainstream

[cazzz1975]

I find that odd sherrard because in the pecking order of statements, a speech and language therapist is very much at the bottom, I would be concerned if she told me things like that, especially as you have not seen a doctor yet

[sherrardk]

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts. I will make an appointment to see the wise old elf (my 'pet' name for the head of the local primary school) tomorrow and see how I get on. If he had lots of problems I wouldn't be questioning this but it is just his poor speech, it seems to be over the top.

[Kassee]

Often TAs in mainstream school working with children with speech and language problems have little specific training, I should know I was one myself. Whereas at a special school they will certainly be much better trained towards helping these specific needs. Speech and language therapists are in very short supply in the public sector. We used to have a saying in school : "strive in special; survive in mainstream", and for some children this was a reality.

[daffy654]

It does sound like the speech therapist may be speaking out of turn. A child can't attend a special school until they have been statemented. If this hasn't yet happened then I would ignore everything she has told you.

[sherrardk]

Thanks Kassee, even the speech therapist couldn't understand him today! A TA who was with him on a regular basis would soon understand him as he tries really hard.