Hi all,

I hope I can find some advice or experiences here.

My son attends a mainstream school where he has a full statement and full time 1:1 assistance. This is for both medical needs and learning as he is Autistic spectrum Disorder as well as all his health issues.

He attended nursery within an Independent school where we wanted him to stay until aged 11. However, after following advice from SEN and parent partner ship we moved him to state provision. We now know they recommended this move entirely for financial reasons not for the best interests of my son.

Things are not good at school and this post could go on pages and pages so I will keep it brief. Basically we do not feel his needs are being met and he is very unhappy. He has also had a catalogue of injuries and incidents that should not have happened.

Having had several meetings in school things remain unresolved and so I have contacted the SEN department at the Town Hall. Although another move is not ideal he is only 5 and it is important he is in the correct setting with the correct support. We asked about a move but they said that he is in a school that can meet his needs - they cannot. Having looked at IPSEA I see that a parent is within their rights to ask for a move. Does anyone have any experience of this? Who is best to contact? You would be horrified if I went into all the detail and I really need to find a solution urgently.

Any advice warmly welcome, thank you x

Hi I know exactly where you are coming from as we are in same situation, its so stressful and upsetting. I'm desperate for my son to go to another school but I'm also met with the same reply that school are meeting his needs. we have that many incidents at school that I dread taking him,I've sat in meetings in tears. I really do hope you find an outcome I'm just waiting for.a.reply of my mp maybe you could contact your mp ? Worth a try x

That's exactly how I feel. He is in tears the whole way and I am in tears all the way home thinking what ever is going to happen next. If nothing gets sorted soon I will be contacting the MP and will consider home schooling until they can find a solution that works. Thank you so much for your reply. I really hope that something gets sorted for you and your son x x

I would suggest you both try the IPSEA helpline for advice as they are independent and will offer you unbiased advice on how to proceed. I used them myself a while back and they really were very good and helped resolve our issues very quickly. It was funny how the council changed their minds when I quoted a bit of education law to them! The helpline does get busy and it can take a while to get through but keep trying or call in the evening sessions if you can as it's often easier to get through then.
Hope you both get your problems sorted soon. x

Thank you I will give IPSEA a call today. Do you find the parent partnership helpful?

A meeting has been arranged for this week for us to sit down and discuss and I am dreading it. I took my son into school today and there was such a bad atmosphere his 1:1 didn't even ask for a handover or anything. This just adds more fuel to my fire rather than helping me to feel his provision is correct! x