[senco-forum] Advice on direction to take with son

Hi June
  Like some of the other postee's I have given different parents different answers.  Some children have repeated a year, others have stayed with their year group and had support.  To be truthful, the answer has normally lain with the child.  We've always looked at emotional as well as cognitive development.  If he is emotionally behind his peers and parents have felt that they would like him to repeat the year because he would be distressed with the formalisation of Y1 then we have always taken this into account.  Conversely, if he is attached to his peers and would become upset from being parted from them then we have moved him into the next year group and given him support with differentiated work.  This differentiation may mean that he also spends time in a younger class in the afternoon to work on his social skills.  The idea of the system is that it is fluid and flexible and best suits his needs.  I know some on the forum will think this a naive answer but I do believe
 that there are many schools who really do want to get it right for their pupils.  If you are not satisfied with what you hear then ring your local Parent Partnership Officer (there will be a phone number for this on your LEA website or advertised on the notice board in school) who will be able to help you further.
  Mags

June Marriott <june_marriott at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
  My son started at a new primary school last week. It's
quickly become apparent that he is struggling and is
way behind everyone else. 
Our experience with his last school was nightmarish
(see previous postings!) and he has been let down very
badly, having spent every afternoon of year 1 in a
reception class (part of a "strategy" that was never
actually discussed with me, the assistant head going
so far as to lie about it).

What would forum members recommend at this point? My
son is about to be assessed and I wonder whether going
back a year at this stage would be a good idea? Or
would staying in Yr 2 with support be a better option?
Obviously, I will discuss the matter with the school's
SENCO and his class teacher and they may have their
own suggestions, but what - generally - are the
realistic and most effective options?

J

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