FAO Gness

[sherrardk]

Hi, approached the head about us having a meeting to see what exactly their plan was for Daniel in September and he was all vague, etc. I have done the hard work, got him assessed, got the funding etc. I know he will get a TA in September but I also know I have to be consulted (and agree to) how the school is going to use the TA time to help Daniel. Particularly annoyed as the head has loads of time to speak to the parents who hang on his every word like he is a god of some sort but not the time to talk to me about Dan (I know I am emotive about it all, but even stepping back and trying to take emotion out of it he is being an arse. I also appreciate that Dan is not he only kid in the school with problems that need to be addressed.) We are going on holiday soon so will only be here for 6 more actual school days so it is quite pressing (and to be frank, whilst Dan is improving his speech is really pants).

[gness]

We have all worked for a head who panders to the parents who treat him like a god.
Is there a SENCO? By now he/she should have some paperwork re. Dan`s future needs and be making plans. Takes too long at the start of a new term and time is lost. There should be a meeting with you, class teacher and SENCO. TA too if possible.
Are you seeing any improvement in his speech and has anyone reported their thoughts back to you?

[tinkerbell23]

Awck Sherr.....wish that some people would put themselves in others shoes snd realise how you have been left hanging about waiting.

Suppose all you can do is bloody pester him to do his pigging job!!!!

Awck. Massive hugs to you and D!! Once he settles in i bet he does amazing.....

Pass the cider....(hold the pint glass LOL) xx

[annie0000]

Schools Eh!!

I'd be tempted to put your request for a meeting in writing. Suggest a time/date that suits you and say that's when you are coming to meet him unless he contacts you with an alternative apointment. It's not like you are asking for a day of his time, just 30 minutes focussed on the issue would do.

[DTCwordfan]

How is his secretary - if good and caring, you could ask her to ask him and lay out a plan by e-mail - thereby he may give your son's case more time and commitment, also knowing that there is a "trail" to what he lays out - and it would take out some of the emotion.

I would also put a deadline date in the request too......so he can't prevaricate......

[sherrardk]

Hi Gness, apparently the head is fab with the kids (but rubbish with most of the parents). He seems to have a big problem with dealing with people who know what they are talking about. The TA who has been assigned to Dan approached me last week and I feel he should have told me about the arrangements (I am v pleased with who the TA is and how much time Dan has been allocated). Dan has become more confident in that he will try to speak to more people and he tries to use more words, however, his actual speech is really poor. We last saw the speech therapis two weeks ago and she doesn't want to see him again until 17 July (probably to do her final report) as she is not touching his many problems (she is trying) and I understand at it is a bit of a waste of her time just seeing him for 3/4 hour once a week (we were really lucky to get one-to-one speech therapy and wouldn't want to deprive another child who could do with the help).

[DTCwordfan]

(I am of course being sexist in assuming "her" for the role -excuse me)

[sherrardk]

Hello everyone else, head's secretary is a bit of a dragon (the other lady in the office is really nice but she is not allowed to make any decisions). I am up the school for gossip group (sorry, playgroup) tomorrow so I think I will go to the office and push for a firm date for the appointment. (Even the consultant who saw Dan said it wasn't my job to sort all the nitty gritty stuff out, but if I don't keep on about it he is likely to get overlooked - you'd think they would be pleased that I have sorted out all the offical stuff for them and they don't have to start from scratch.)

[DTCwordfan]

Deputy HM?

[sherrardk]

That's a thought, she is really nice (so nice that think 1 tries to give her a kiss everytime she sees her), will have to suss out how much clout she has actually got.

[gness]

Sherr. Delayed by call from another daughter. All the above is good advice especially to put requests in writing. That you are happy with TA is great. In my last school the SENCO had a lot of clout. Use him/her and give copies of letters to Head to SENCO also. They used to report to some higher up bod outside the school. Does this still happen?
You have done more groundwork than most parents so make sure that is on record too.
Remember what I told you about D no1. Worse speech impediment imaginable and now gives talks across the globe. x

[sherrardk]

Hi Gness, think the senco might be part time as she doesn't have her own class and I don't even know her name. Think I will go to the office tomorrow and see how I get on with getting an actual appointment. If I don't get anywhere, I will write some letters when I get back in. Dan has maybe ten words (at the most) that he can say clearly and properly. I am sure he will get there, just might take a long time (the speech people are at a bit of a loss as to how to proceed because he has a number of speech problems although I have been really happy about how much input he has had front them and how lucky we have been to have had one-to-one input).

[sherrardk]

Ps - thanks to all (and esp Gness) for support, ideas and listening to my continual droning on about this, x

[gness]

The hours Dan is getting are excellent but unless things have changed the SENCO should be more on the scene by now. In a case like yours she is more important than the Head. She will complete assessment and progress forms not the Head. Ask for a meeting. As I say, things may be different now but I would always make a SENCO my first port of call.....if she`s good.