[eastyorkshirelass]

my son has been going to a special needs school for over a year now and i can see him coming out of his shell so much since hes been there and i think its great hes getting the help he needs,hes 4 years old in may and due to start the nursery full time in september..he loves it so much he brings home a home school book what the teacher writes in to let me know how hes getting on..........my son always goes to school with a smile and comes home with a smile to........

[paula]

Hi! I am really pleased that your son is doing so well at school. My son also goes to a special needs school where he has been for the last three years and he too loves it. Our daughter goes to a special needs nursery attatched to a mainstream school and at the moment they are assessing her to see if she will stay there or transfer to a special school in a year's time. It is so important that our children go to the right setting as the wrong environment can be so devastating. I know that every child is unique but I do get frustrated when I talk to parents who are adamant that they do not want their children to go to a special school purely because of the stigma that they feel is associated with these schools. All too often they put their children in environments which are obviously unsuitable just because they feel that they are normalising them. I feel that there is a big difference between a child coping at school and thriving and certainly in our experience the special needs educational environment has been essential for our son who would be eaten alive in a mainstream environment.

Take Care

Paula

[Julie]

My son goes to a mainstream school and is doing very well.  Like others have said, there are pros and cons to both mainstream and special needs schools.  We have to make a choice this Autumn for our son as he will need to leave his current school next July - and it is a tough choice.  From what I have heard and been told by people with personal experience, the Special Schools in my area are for children who 'under achieve'.  My son is average for a 7 year old at school, so is not an 'under achiever'.  However, when he moves up to a Middle school next year it is the social aspect of the school which worries me.  As he will appear 'different' from the other children they are quite likely to target him for bullying.  So what will we do?  We just want him to go to a school where he will be happy and do well.  There doesn't seem to be a school that can accomodate his needs in our area.  I have also heard that the 'Powers that be' are not too keen on handing over the funding if we want him to go to a special school outside of the area.  They don't like to make it easy for us parents do they?

Julie

 

[welshie]

hi Julie
my son went from special needs school to mainstream at nine and like you i was concerned about the socail side of things and bullying but to our suprise he fitted in and had no problemsit doesnt always follow that the one you think will have trouble fitting in will be bullied. I wish you and you son all the best try and keep positive good luck
Rachel