miserable at school

[wookette]

my 11 year old is miserable in school as he has started being taken into a lower class for extra literacy support. i wasn't even consulted about this. can i ask for this to be stopped as its making him ill? why have they decided in his last year of primary school to do this? does anyone else have this experience?

[cazzz1975]

the sats are apporaching, they coach the year 6's until they do their sats, its quite pressurised, my daughter's class had to attend afterschool and breafast coaching 3 times a week.

[wookette]

my sons already doing SATS coaching - this is separate which is the whole problem. he feels singled out no matter what the school tell him. hes the only one in his class doing this. the school told me its the only way they can support him but the negatives are now outweighing any benefits.i want to know my position on this and do i have the right to say no to him going into the lower year?

[Suzyboo]

They are trying to help him so why not just share your concerns with them and try to work together?

[factor-fiction]

Is he on the Special needs register / does he have a IEP?

I suggest you ask the school for the reason. It's surprising that you haven't been consulted/informed.

[saxy_jag]

If he doesn't feel supported, if he just feels pressured, then it's clearly not supporting him at all.

Children should be able to learn and develop at their own pace and not be pressured to attain whatever levels just so that the school can look good on a league table.

Make a nuisance of yourself. Go to your boy's class teacher and ask him/her to remove your son from this class. If they don't. go the head teacher. Keep going - chair of governors, local councillor, local MP - until you get results.

If all else fails, take him out of school and teach him yourself.

[buildersmate]

Unfortunately far too many parents feel that the above is the right approach and it's fouling up the education system.

[wookette]

thanks saxy jag for your comments. i have made numerous visits to the class teacher, the deputy head and the head. i have decided enough is enough and am going to ask him to be returned to his class. after all, its too little too late as he leaves for senior school this year. the school keep banging on about him needing to be ready for senior school which makes me think its all for their benefit so as to not be accused of doing nothing in supporting him, which appears to have been the case up until now! i need him happy, not stressed at such a young age.

[cassa333]

Have you tried to come to a compromise with them?

You have said that he is getting extra help for the sats, perhaps they can incorperate it into that?

Regardless of you thinking it is for the school table he is failing and he needs help. He can either get it now or perhaps lag further behind in the more pressurised environment of seniors.

[sandmaster]

I have to ask - did you read to him when he was younger? Do you encourage him to read now? There may be a problem the school has not identified - ask him to read to you and make your own mind up. Mums often know best.

[wookette]

thanks for your imput . hes a great reader and speller so thats not the problem. his comprehension of things isn't great - ive told school numerous times. they've done too little too late and they know it.