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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Secondary education

Using Laptops in Lessons

17 replies

tinpony · 18/03/2011 12:07

My son (14) has always had trouble with his handwriting. At the end of year 6 we went privately to an OT who diagnosed fine motor skills dyspraxia. We gave the report to his secondary school who basically chose to ignore it, saying that there were far worse cases and our son's progress was really not being affected. We believed them at the time because I suppose we wanted to, coupled with the fact that we didn't want to make a fuss. However, he is really slipping down, so much so that after having started the school in the 'grammar' stream he is now downgraded to having to take a BTec instead of all GCSE's, with grades still in the 5/6 level. He is not academic, but I cannot help but wonder if he has 'given up' in lessons as even with a huge amount of effort he is unable to produce something as good as the next person who puts in minimum effort. His handwritten work is sparce and messy, something commented upon by most of his teachers. He is lefthanded too, which doesn't help, and says that it hurts him to write after only a short time.

We have approached the school about him having a laptop in lessons, which we would provide. The senco has just told me that the headmaster will not allow it as it may set a precedent. Should I fight this? I do not know if having a laptop will help, but certainly not having one isn't, so I think it is worth the try. Does anyone have any advice?

OP posts:

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cornsilk678 · 18/03/2011 12:10

yes fight it

cornsilk678 · 18/03/2011 12:11

going out - will post again later

PixieOnaLeaf · 18/03/2011 12:12

This reply has been deleted

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PixieOnaLeaf · 18/03/2011 12:13

This reply has been deleted

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mummytime · 18/03/2011 12:29

I would contact parent partnership for your area, and see if you can get them to help you fight your case. Using a laptop is quite normal. You do not have to have an OT recommendation for this, but some head teachers can be a bit unreasonable. Maybe you need to speak to him directly?

cory · 18/03/2011 21:51

I would definitely try to get a piece of paper from a suitable specialist. Our ds gets pain from writing and it really does affect everything else about his school work from his concentration to his attitude (no point my trying, I'll never do as well as the others...).

Zenyattadottir · 18/03/2011 21:57

Have a look at this thread here. There are lots of v useful links on it.

Zenyattadottir · 18/03/2011 21:59

I should add that thanks to all the lovely MNers on that thread, ds now has free rein to use the school laptop. I'm sure you can get the same result.

maddy68 · 18/03/2011 22:28

It is probably more to do with the security side - both the possibility of viruses being transferred onto the school network from the laptop and the possibility of damage/loss and the school having to foot an expensive bill

cory · 18/03/2011 23:00

If they are worried about security, the answer is to have two laptops: one that is kept in the school and used there, and one that the ds can use at home for his homework. This is how it works in ds' primary school.

maddy68 · 18/03/2011 23:05

I agree but that does have a cost implication -

cory · 18/03/2011 23:13

If the child has SN the school should be paying for the laptop used in school (which does not have to be for the exclusive use of this child- presumably the school already owns a laptop?) and the OP has already said they are willing to pay for one laptop.

Zenyattadottir · 18/03/2011 23:31

From what I now know, I can't believe any of us are having to struggle with this. He should have a laptop.

tinpony · 19/03/2011 10:23

Thank you everyone - I'm very encouraged by your advice and experiences! I will let you know how I get on in the next stage of my struggle!

OP posts:

blueemerald · 22/03/2011 00:03

I was diagnosed with dyspraxia at 13. My (mainstream, private) secondary school were only too happy to let me have a laptop in lessons and in my exams (I suspect after 2 years of trying to read my handwriting!) My mother had to show the letter from the EP to the SENCO and Examinations Officer and they provided everything.

My brother is on the autistic spectrum and his (state, Special Education) secondary were a lot more difficult. My mother still has the letter from the Head saying it was "unheard of" to use a laptop in public exams or the classroom.

Start the fight now in case they are troublesome and then it should be sorted before big exam time.

A dictaphone was my saving grace at school and uni because I could rarely type fast enough to keep up with the teacher talking.

Lonnie · 22/03/2011 22:35

my 11 year old DD has had a laptop with her into school for over 1 1/2 years now to aid with her dyslexia. The 2ndary she is going to have already said that is perfectly fine.. without seeing any reports

mumeeee · 23/03/2011 23:08

Yes fight it , Insist the school asses sses him. DD3 was assesses for a laptop but because she had bad organisational skills as weel as habdwriting, It was decisded it would be better for her not to use a laptop as she would have got sressesd if she lost it. But She was allowed to write lesss in class and whre possible she was given printed handouts of the lesson to take home. She got a scribe and extra time for her GCSE's

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