Bookie and Secondary School Placement

[Bookworm]

It's my turn...

T. is going to go to secondary in Sept 08, and so far, things have been quiet, transition review highlighted that his needs are Asperger's specific, including the summary sheet clearly stating:

Is the pupil ready to be included in a mainstream environment? NO

So what does my LA do? Send me a letter to say that they have discussed T. at a recent SEN panel, and it was concluded that T. would be an appropriate candidate for the new autistic provision at the local high school, opening in Sept 08.
They also sent me a copy of the letter they sent to the Head there, and I was absolutely FURIOUS to see that they give the Head a deadline of 22nd November to confirm whether they'd be able to offer T. a place there, and that if they don't hear from her by that date, they will presume she has no comments concerning the admittance of this pupil and will proceed to name the school in Part 4 of his statement.

They also say in their letter to me that I haven't responded to their request for me to state my preferences. LIAR! I e-mailed the person in question last week, advising her that I was visiting appropriate schools over the next couple of weeks and would get back in touch asap after that.

So I have fired her another e-mail, leaving her in no doubt of what I think of her underhand tactics, including a notification that if she attempts to proceed with naming that school without my and/or the Head's consent, I will lodge a formal complaint against her. I also made a snide comment that I was sure her job would be a lot easier if she could just fill in the blanks herself without consulting anyone, but it wasn't going to happen in this case.

This morning, I contacted the Head, and she doesn't understand why or how the LA is expecting her to complete paperwork by the 22nd, as the LA know very well that the school is planning an event for parents of prospective pupils in December to show them the plans of the unit. Yes, you read this right, the plans. The unit is at building plans stage.

Long and short of it, as I suspected, this unit-to-be will be inclusive, part of a mainstream school which is "improving" as described in the OFSTED report (not what the local parents would report, mind you!), which is the high school where I chose NOT to send my non-SEN children.

How the panel thought that my son, whose statement clearly states that he is NOT ready to be included in a mainstream environment, would be a good candidate for that unit, I am at a loss to comprehend. Oh, hang on, no, I lie: it would be a lot cheaper than giving him the setting he does need, if only I could be hoodwinked.

What gets me is that there will be only 6 places in that unit. I am certain that there will be plenty of kids who would benefit from that placement, so why try to shoehorn my child into it, thereby depriving both him and another child from their adequate placement?

I need to do some research into the legality of the LA treating a possible non-response from the Head as consent, I know it isn't legal in contract law to construe silence as acceptance, but we know education law can be a different matter. (If anyone knows the answer, tell me! )

And breathe.

[GlasweJen]

Don't know the answer 100% but if the statement says he's not ready for mainstream then he's not and that's the end of it. Use the usual CAG method of writing to her recorded delivery and stipulate again that you are looking for a school and you'll get back to her when you're done making sure your son goes to the best school for him.

[Bookworm]

Oh, I know, Jen, I am just so ANGRY! How many more parents who do NOT know their rights, who do NOT know how to fight, or simply believe that if the LA is in charge of their child's SEN, they must be doing what's best, right? I know that when it all started, I did listen to their BS for a while before the penny dropped that these people only had one interest, and that was the balance of their budgets.

Must remember to breathe once in a while, or I'm going to explode.

[GlasweJen]

Education Act 1996



Compulsory education

7 Duty of parents to secure education of children of compulsory school age

The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable—
(a) to his age, ability and aptitude, and
(b) to any special educational needs he may have,
either by regular attendance at school or otherwise

Don't know if this helps but if the primary head keeps trying to shoehorn T into this unit you could always remind then that it's your duty by law, not hers and you're going to take as much time as you need to make sure that it's suitable for him

[Bookworm]

An interesting angle, Jen, thanks.

Against this, they have the argument that they only have to provide a school which is suitable, they are not duty-bound to provide/fund the best.

It's an interesting point, though, I may well use that at some point or another in my correspondence.

Someone on my Yahoo Aspergers group also reminded me that an autistic unit annex is still considered to be mainstream education (which it would be in this instance for sure), so I think they will cave in quite quickly once I start making noises. I think maybe she thought she could try and squeeze this one in without the parents noticing. Fat chance.

I'll keep you guys updated as things progress. Tomorrow, I visit the last school on my list, which, as it is AS specific, I have really good vibes about. Then, the fun really begins.

[lindsay22]

good luck, my boy is now in year 5 and i am dreading him going to secondry school as i know the education will try the same under hand tactics they have with you.

[Bookworm]

I know you guys can't really help on this, but it might help me get it straight in my head if I write it here, as I have been going round in circles since last week.

3 possible schools for T:

No 1: 24 miles away.
Pros: NAS school, consultant is Lorna Wing. About 1/2 autistic, 1/2 AS. Has 16+ provision.
Cons: Kids move from class to class, like in a regular secondary, it worries me that T. will find that confusing, although that won't necessarily be the case. The second thing is the kids are together by age, not ability, or not much, and some of them will be quite low-functioning, some of the kids I saw were jumping, flapping, styming, etc, and not sure how T. will keep his cool if he is trying to concentrate and has L/F kids around.

No 2: 17 miles away. School primarily for epileptic children, but has autistic/AS classes.
Pros: Close to home, only about 1/2 hr away. Has 16+ education.
Cons: Probably too low functioning for T. Epileptic kids (many of them with additional headgear etc...) could be quite frightening for him and reinforce the feeling that he doesn't belong.

No 3: 42 miles away!
Pros: Asperger's specific, every bell and whistle for an AS child. Just perfect
Cons: no 16+ provision, and the distance! Also, fees start at £64K and I know the LA are going to resist that expense (+transport) as much as they can, not that it is my main issue. Don't know how much the other 2 are, but I suspect they'll both be a lot cheaper, no 3 is owned by the Priory Group (yes, of rehab for star fame!).

So here I am, torn: Do I go for the furthest away, which will be just right for him? The closest, which I feel in my gut is not quite right? Or the one in between, which has both good and niggly points?

I have been going round and tound in my head since Thursday and going quietly crazy.

[lindsay22]

personally i would go with option 3, it sounds excellant. good luck

[mariejader]

Go with your first gut feeling, however I can see that the distance could be a problem for you, I know from speaking with you in the past you were considering moving house is this still an option?

I am again going to suggest that you also get your MP involved with this, I would be asking him what his/her views are on the deadlines both you and the school have been given regarding accepting a placement for you child, and as you have written "if they don't hear from the head by that date, they will presume she has no comments concerning the admittance of this pupil and will proceed to name the school in Part 4 of his statement", ask what their view on this comment is?

My other thought/question is when I first read your post:-

So what does my LA do? Send me a letter to say that they have discussed T. at a recent SEN panel, and it was concluded that T. would be an appropriate candidate for the new autistic provision at the local high school, opening in Sept 08.

The new autistic provision bit really worry's me to be honest, you don't know what experience they have, you don't have the opportunity to talk to other parents with regards to how their child is finding the unit, how can you make a decision on what is best for your child with out this basic information?

Who knows it may be a fantastic unit, but the thought of a new build holiday complex comes into mind with this and we have all seen on TV holiday's from hell where nothing has been finished or the right equipment is installed, I know this is probably not a good comparision but I hope it gives you an idea of where I am coming from with this, personally I would not even consider this option.

I would however suggest if you can and have time go back to the other two schools and see if they feel the same the second time around and then make your decision.

Good luck, it's a tough one, any child moving to secondary school is hard but for a child with ASD the problems are even harder, we are now in YR9 and although the school is good there are still problems I have to deal with on a regular basis, so I guess what I am trying to say is follow your heart and gut feeling and I am sure it will be the right decision for your child, so what if it's not the right decision for the LEA but hey ho it's only money to them

[Bookworm]

Originally Posted by mariejader

Go with your first gut feeling, however I can see that the distance could be a problem for you, I know from speaking with you in the past you were considering moving house is this still an option?

It is, yes, but that would then go with school no 1, which is in Kent, and therefore we could afford it, whereas the other one is the wealthiest part of Surrey, and completely out of our financial means.

I am again going to suggest that you also get your MP involved with this,

Yeah, well, I did with the previous one, but my current one is this one:
Assault case MP Andrew Pelling battles for seat - Telegraph
so my faith in his interest or desire to help at the moment is a bit shaken, although in all fairness, he did respond positively on the bank charges thing, and personally too, not just a templated response! I might send him a few words actually, can't hurt. Thanks for suggesting it.

The new autistic provision bit really worry's me to be honest, you don't know what experience they have, you don't have the opportunity to talk to other parents with regards to how their child is finding the unit, how can you make a decision on what is best for your child with out this basic information?

Who knows it may be a fantastic unit, but the thought of a new build holiday complex comes into mind with this and we have all seen on TV holiday's from hell where nothing has been finished or the right equipment is installed, I know this is probably not a good comparision but I hope it gives you an idea of where I am coming from with this, personally I would not even consider this option.

Exactly. Besides, a autistic unit is still considered mainstream and I know T. won't be able to cope with that. I do know exactly what you mean, don't worry, it's exactly how I feel about it too.

I would however suggest if you can and have time go back to the other two schools and see if they feel the same the second time around and then make your decision.

They won't even consider offering a place untill I go back with T. this time, so that's not a problem, I have one set up for Nov 30th (earliest available! ) for the one in Kent.

Good luck, it's a tough one, any child moving to secondary school is hard but for a child with ASD the problems are even harder, we are now in YR9 and although the school is good there are still problems I have to deal with on a regular basis, so I guess what I am trying to say is follow your heart and gut feeling and I am sure it will be the right decision for your child, so what if it's not the right decision for the LEA but hey ho it's only money to them

Thanks, Marie. the more I think of it, the more I think the Kent one might be better, not as a better school necessarily, but when taking all factors into account (distance, if we need to move etc...) and it is a NAS school, so we are not talking of diminishing standards here anyway, and with Lorna Wing as consultant, I mean... I sometimes wonder if I am being too fussy? LOL The fact they do 16+ as well is a big attraction.

Actually, do you know at the top of your head if the e-mail I sent the LA warning her about not naming the autistic unit without my consent counts as one of those markers where she should then organise a meeting within 14 days? Or can it be counted as more informal than that? Should I make a fuss now, or keep my strength? What do you think?

[mariejader]

Actually, do you know at the top of your head if the e-mail I sent the LA warning her about not naming the autistic unit without my consent counts as one of those markers where she should then organise a meeting within 14 days? Or can it be counted as more informal than that?

I would not leave anything to chance where the LEA are concerned they seem to be a law to themself or at least they think they are.

Should I make a fuss now, or keep my strength? What do you think?

Depends on your level of making a fuss I think at this stage I would be in informing them that you are not going to accept any decision they make and if necessary you will take further action.

Another thing that I have just read again is

So what does my LA do? Send me a letter to say that they have discussed T. at a recent SEN panel, and it was concluded that T. would be an appropriate candidate for the new autistic provision at the local high school, opening in Sept 08.

Have you considered asking them what an appropriate candiate is? and for what reason do they think T would fit into this, what evidence have they based their decision on that T should go to this unit, when you have reports that it would not be suitable.

I don't know what qualifications each member of the SEN panel requires to be able to make decisions like this? maybe another question to ask them I am sure you will find that they do not have the qualifications of the experts who do the dx etc so you may be able to work this into your appeal if necessary (just thinking our loud here so this may not be of any use but still worth looking into?)

[Bookworm]

Appropriate candidate = Statemented child currently costing a fortune in private school, living locally to new unit and roughly within the same spectrum as the unit being built. If they manage it, they save on the school AND transport, as school is within the radius where parent would have to take child there.

Cynical, moi?

[mariejader]

Appropriate candidate = Statemented child currently costing a fortune in private school, living locally to new unit and roughly within the same spectrum as the unit being built. If they manage it, they save on the school AND transport, as school is within the radius where parent would have to take child there.

Cynical, moi?

Nothing new there then, putting the needs of the LEA before a child

Is that what they told you?