Draft Statement - unreasonable suggestion -

[Anne]

Hi. My daughter's draft statement has finally arrived ... She has Hypermobility Syndrome, hypertonia , she suffers from both pallid and cyanotic attacks (she goes unconscious on injuring hersel;f even very mildly and when very frustrated) and she had cataract removal surgery in her left eye with an artificial implant in her left eye. She wears glasses with a bi-focal lens in her left side of her glasses. She is patched for 6 hours a day).

I quote :

"Part 3: Special Educational Provision
In addition Grace requires:
For curriculum:
Sensory and physical :

Grace will need monitoring in the playground, at least initially to ensure her safety - an adult might initially carry this out but a 'circle of friends' approach could be introduced over time , which involves her peers ensuring she is safe. These children would need to be taught what would be expected to ensure she is as independent as possible - for example, she is quite capable of getting up if knocked over, but the other children might help out by quietly placing themselves between her and other children running fast; they might also help out by standing by whilst she negotiates climbing equipment."


I was a Reception class teacher before I had my children and I was shocked this was suggested. Grace is 4 !!!! Her peers are 4 and have every right to play outside without any additional worries or jobs. I think it is a cop out on the part of the Council as they will not provide sufficient funding to cover all playground /P.E. sessions. We are ammending the first draft and have until 16th June to return it to them.

If anyone could tell me if I am being unreasonable in thinking that her 4 year old peers should be the ones to assist her please tell me. I am hoping to get your responses before I write our response.

Many Thanks. Love Anne xxxxx

[Helly Welly]

Whilst i think it's good if her friends know she has difficulties sometimes, to put any sort of responsibilty on primary children is ridiculous. They are just too young for this sort of role, and i'm not sure their parents would be entirely comfortable with it either. All her friends should know at their age is that things are difficult for your daughter sometimes so she needs help, FROM AN ADULT!!

Also, you can't be certain how such young children would react at the sight of one of their friends falling unconscious. It's not like you can train them for it at their age.

I'm not surprised you are angry, i would be too.

[Rosie]

Hi Anne

I agree with you, it is totally unreasonable to expect 4 year olds to monitor your daughter's safety, I wouldn't expect them to be responsible for themselves, let alone anyone else. Perhaps you could suggest that the 'circle of friends' would be OK if the parents of the other children concerned will sighn to say that they are happy for their child to do this - I don't expect many will sign! I would also ask how long 'initially' and 'over time' will be. These are very vague terms and more detail about timescales is needed. If by 'over time' they mean at some point during her time at the school, then they need to say so, if they mean next term then I would definitely consider this inappropriate. If she needs supervision in the playgrounf, then she needs supervision and they should provide this.
Good luck



Rosie

[hannah]

I was reading that thinking 'this sounds sensible' - until I found your daughter was 4
No. however hard 4 year olds might try, it is unreasonable to expect this of them. By 6 or 7 maybe, but until then it really doesn't sound a good idea. I'm sure at age 4 they are capable of running to tell teacher if they see her on the floor - but beyond that I really don't think so.
Good point about identifying the timescales they are talking about too.

Good luck. Hannah.

[JoSo]

I thaught the same as Hanah, it all sounded like a good plan for 11/12 yearolds but 4 is rediculous!!