[SENco-forum] criteria for SpLD tuition from LA

I would say that the reporter has chosen - or not chosen - words which
create a particular viewpoint.  It would perhaps be more accurate to
state, as is usually the case in such matters, that some children in some
Welsh authorities are not getting the provision they need, instead of
implying that this is true throughout Wales.

Obviously, just as in England, situations vary from area to area.  It may
just be that appeals are falling in some LAs because the LA is getting it
right more often than in previous years - the evidence is not there in the
article to draw either conclusion.

As those who have worked as sencos in schools or specialist teachers for
LAs are aware, there are children who desperately need the protection that
a statement affords, but there are others who are making extremely good
progress with school-based provision, for whom moving to the next stage is
not necessary.

I have experienced both of these situations.  I have also experienced the
situation where all that a child needs is support from home with reading
and learning spelling, as there is no underlying problem, in order to make
the progress expected of that age-group, but the parents will not even do
what is asked of all parents - help with learning weekly spellings and
read daily with the child - as they have decided that the child is
dyslexic and needs to be statemented, even when an assessment has shown no
evidence of any specific difficulty.

As with any area of education, newspapers publish only part of the story -
remember the headlines about 25% of children could not read at the age of
11?  No mention of the 75% who could and whichever percentage it was who
could probably read and understand text aimed at those well above their
age!

Regards

Jean

 See article on provision for SEN in Wales -- not a rosie picture:
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> -----Original Message-----
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> From: Sheridan
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> To: SEN at tringham.net; 'Becta Senco'
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> Sent: Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:46
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> Subject: RE: [SENco-forum] criteria for SpLD tuition from LA
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> It will depend on what part of Wales you move to. I know Swansea have a
> qualified SpLD teacher in every school so don't use a specialist service.
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