Does anyone have experience to share? We want to get it right when we apply for Reception.
DS starts Reception in 2014. We are overseas but moving back before then and will be applying in the usual way through our LEA (where we own a property that we will be moving back to). We are visiting in a few months and really it'll be our only chance to look at schools before we apply as we won't be back and it's too far to just pop over for a few days.
We live in an area with many oversubscribed and very highly regarded schools. That's all well and good but that doesn't necessarily mean they will provide a safe environment for our son. The one we are most likely to get into is a large 4 form entry school. Allergies aside, I'm not sure about a school that large but it is, on paper, an outstanding school. Then we have allergies and TBH the thought of at least 120 Reception kids plus Y1 and y2 running around eating break time snacks or sitting eating their packed lunches with only a handful of supervisors sends me into a cold sweat. We do have an alternative option but its private. A school very close to our house which does have experience of children with allergies and has about 15-20 per class (with one class per year group).
DS is allergic to dairy, egg, peanut, mustard and sesame and travels with a set of Epi Pens due to his peanut and sesame allergies. He is currently in a very small pre school where no lunch is served, there is no milk and snacks in his class are provided for the whole class from a list of things that are safe for him. It's above and beyond what we expected but the school are fantastic as are the other parents in his class. But I'm under no illusions that we will get anything close to this when it comes to primary school.
The country we currently live in does take food allergies seriously when it comes to schools (well in our area at least). Food allergies (those properly diagnosed by a specialist and backed up with an emergency action plan signed by them) come under disability discrimination laws and so schools have to make every reasonable effort to accommodate the needs of a child with food allergies. It's not perfect but at least it's recognition. I suspect there is nothing similar in the UK.
So, what have people's experiences been with schools? Is there anything you'd have done differently with hindsight or things you wished you had found out/discussed before applying. Has anyone opted for a small private school as they felt it provided a safer environment?
thanks
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Allergies and intolerances
Picking the right school when your child has food allergies
14 replies
SuburbanMomma · 31/01/2013 18:45
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babybarrister ·
31/01/2013 21:19
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babybarrister ·
31/01/2013 21:19
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