Hi anyone have year five kids?maybe with SEN can you tell me what is expected?

[stripeycat13]

Is it mainly sitting learning at desks all day is the pressure intense for sats?,what is the school day/expectations like?Thankyou in advance

[TweeAintMee]

Most primary schools focus on Maths and English in the morning (mainly seated) and topic/broader curriculum in the afternoon (often using variety of media and much more active).

As for SATs pressure, well that depends on the school - you need to check out different schools. In some schools, SATs are invisible whereas in others it becomes sole focus in year 6.

In your position, I would choose a school with a high percentage of SEN so that they are used to accommodating a variety of needs.

[stripeycat13]

Thanks tweeAintMe,do you think a smallish village school would work?,my boy is joining mainstream after a period of homeschooling due to being very unsupported in two schools.He likes the idea of social time and being back at school though the level is way beyond him and im worried he wont get the support he needs to keep up let alone catch up.They offered a period of flexi school so I could tutor him myself and with help.Or there is a much bigger school with not such a good academic record at all but has a high percentage of SEN and nearer to home.

[Adikia]

was going to say for DS its not been much different from year 4, except the works harder, but if you've been home schooling that's probably not much help to you.

a typical day for DS goes

8.45-9 registration
9-10 literacy (sat at desks)
10 - 10.20 break time
10.20 - 12.20 numeracy (sat at desks)
12.20 - 1.15 lunch
1.15 - 1.45 registration and quiet reading
1.45 - 2.45 PE or other subjects (usually more fun lessons)
2.45 - 3.15 PSE/RE/class time (less formal)

I think SATs have vaguely been mentioned but they aren't the big thing i'd been expecting.

From your description I think the small village school sounds good and like they really want to support him.

[stripeycat13]

Thanks Adikia, I know he is going to find it tough,but i need to give him the chance.he has been used to doing stuff for about and hour and the rest integrated into whatever else we do.maths ie shops or cooking or science.The village school is quite a drive and it will be solely me who has to drive and pick up.there is less going on after school and I will have three kids there.two in the same class.logistically the one nearer would make more sense re local friends and less of a challenge to get there but the largeness of the school may be an off put to a boy who has always preferred smaller numbers.

[NynaevesSister]

My son goes to a large school but I think that works in his favour. Lots more children with SEN, and they break the children out into smaller tutorial groups for English and Maths in the mornings. So never in a class of more than 8. I don't think they could do that in a smaller school. There are three classes.

Also another deciding factor for us was that he would eventually be going to a large school when he gets to secondary and that would help him get used to being in a large setting, in the more supportive environment of primary.

[Adikia]

Ah yeah, long drive is a bit of an issue, when you said the bigger school was nearer I assumed like 5 minutes closer. have the bigger school said whether theyd be prepared to do the flexi schooling as well? and are your other 2 already at school?

The academic record at the bigger school probably doesn't matter so much if they've got a high percentage SEN, I mean getting a child with lots of issues to level 3 is a far bigger achievement than some of the more able children getting a level 5 or 6.

also roughly how many children at each school? (what's considered big/small seems to depend on where people live)

[TweeAintMee]

stripey it is hard to judge without knowing what suits your child. Some kids find large numbers of children (esp on playground) really intimidating and the noise levels can be an issue. IME small village primary can be more flexible and accommodating ref step changes to help transition but you might also need to consider the balance of needs of your other 2 and your SEN child, not only re pick ups etc but ref the dynamics of their sibling relationships. If I were you I'd ask primary school what experience they have of other similar situations and how they handled it.

[DeWee]

Dd2 is year 5.

I would say it generally depends on the school, but dd2's school (it's large) has a basic timetable the children are given, however they will change it if other things come up.

They do spend a certain amount of time doing things at desks, but they also have things they do on the field.

If the SEN children need extra help then they will have 1-2-1 time with a TA or the SENCO or outside help.

If he can concentrate for an hour, take a break and then concentrate for another hour, then I think he'll be doing as well as a lot of them. The day is fairly broken up into sections and I don't think they generally spend more than an hour and a half working at one thing before moving on.
But he may find the first half term hard while he adjusts, I imagine there will be some adjustment time.

[stripeycat13]

Thanks sorry I got waylaid! the bigger school is nearer but going through a lot of rebuilding and has just got a not notice to improve the second one.It has a lot to offer other than academics though and is very good aT SEN.The other village one is 10 miles drive but 140 pupils and good with SEN too but as a single parent now I dread the drive!,im not sure if its doable.The large school would prob help my SEN child but not sure its centred enough to help the other two.Its general academic record is not so good.All the others are over subscribed.

[nigerdelta]

Lot of sport, lots of social insecurity, art, cultural exchanges.
DS is desperately keen on YoYo cards, they play mine craft at lunchtimes.
the braver ones are pairing off as girlfriend-boyfriend (typically speak briefly to their BF-GF about once a month).

[stripeycat13]

nigerdelta social insecurity?

[cece]

I would lean towards the larger school that is nearer.

Firstly you will be less stressed.
Their friends will be nearer for playing after school.
Costs of petrol.
Larger schools tend to have more money/larger number of staff and therefore able to provide more facilities/offer a wider range of opportunities.

I woud advise speaking with SENCO of the nearer school.
Has your DC got any SEN paperwork? Like an IEP or statement?

[stripeycat13]

Yes from an educational psychologist,the larger school has notice to improve though,feel like I should g out on a limb for the better one but am on my own so it wont be easy

[nigerdelta]

I think 8-9yo is when they really start to worry about their social standing, or at least, the less confident ones do. It's when peer pressure starts to truly matter ime.

[ILoveCoreyHaim]

Dd1 done hers last year, school gets excellent results. Dd2 in yr5 now and i am already dreading it as she has some mild SEN. Doesnt have a statement but was identified as needing help by the end of reception. Fought tooth and nail to get outside help as she was so far behind. By year 4 i was ready to move schools but we got a new headmistress and she got her extra help. This year she has powered through the year catching her peers up. Dd1 it was constant sats work, homework, work books and after school and weekend classes. Im not too sure she will cope with it all

[stripeycat13]

I know what you mean,mine has a auditory/visual processing prob,he not only has to keep up but catch up too,it will be tough and prev we had huge meltdowns everynight.we home schooled for a yr and he is starting to get stuff he couldn't master at school as not enough help.he wants to go as siblings starting and is craving more social life but im not sure he will cope.he has v basic reading level for a start.the worry of it all!

[TweeAintMee]

stripey schools in that level of difficulty quite often have lots of resource and support from the LA so now might be the perfect time to join the larger school. However it will probably also go through a period of change and adjustment as measures to raise standards are put in place.

[ILoveCoreyHaim]

I think my dd has auditory processing disorder. Whoever the school brought in has given her tools to cope and the teachers have to make sure she understands. She is sat at the front away from windows and doors and has lessons in a small group of kids and alone with the senco. The difference in year 4 has been amazing. I just hope she can cope with year 5

[ILoveCoreyHaim]

Oops i mean difference in yr5 has been amazing but hope she copes with yr6. Help was brough on the end of year 4

[stripeycat13]

Thanks it all helps I am going eever so slightly barmy with making a decision.I am not sure he will cope luckily its a year3/4 class.But he can barely read he is 8 soon and has the reading level of a 5 year old.He may take off now as he is willing but I worry like hell.

[ILoveCoreyHaim]

Find a school with the best sen dept. Dont go on ofstead reports. I have read loads of posts about SEN kids in outstanding schools whos SEN depts are not very good. This was the issue with our school until we got the new headmistress