Parent, UK

The teacher greeted me to a parent-teacher meeting by excitedly announcing she had moved my son to a new place at the back of the class…and that he could hear absolutely fine…the teacher reassured me that he wasn’t missing any learning at all. I tried to contain my silent wonder at the teacher potentially having the capability to cure his deafness, and went on to explain his needs and the implications of him being in the worst possible position for him in the classroom. I pointed out that him sitting at the front of the classroom was indeed the very first item/need on his education plan (which they had printed off and had in front of them, but had just perhaps never ever read/respected).

Yet again, in my view it seemed to need a battle with professionals to just get something/anything for his education and learning …only the very basics of what I thought he needed from the school really. Months and years of teachers who don’t read his info, teachers with no time, teachers not giving or listening to class handovers, teachers with lack of classroom/school support, teachers with little consideration respect or care, temporary un-informed teachers. It wasn't enough, and my son needed better.

We have been home educating now for about a year and a half.

-Smaller class sizes
-Effective, considerate and respectful SEND support.
-More time spent playing or learning outdoors
-More opportunities for children to follow their interests and have needs met …for learning to be adapted for them as unique individuals.
-Kind teachers and school staff.