Statements

[carolcato]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE can I let parents know that to make sure that secondary transfer is smooth, you need a Statement in place WELL BEFORE Year 6!

As well as being mum to a son with Nystagmus (he's now 17), I work in Learning Support in a primary school.

Having read a few old posts, I keep seeing people talking about getting a statement for secondary. It really needs to be in place by Year 5, so that you can name a secondary school at your annual review (sorry if this is gobbledygook to most people!)

Most of the time, if you haven't had a statement by the end of Year 5 (earlier if possible) - it will be very hard to get one. I don't want to scaremonger, but the earlier it is in place, the better... it is virtually impossible to get one once they start secondary school.

[John Sanders]

Hi everyone,

Carol is quite right to say that getting a statement in place early is a big advantage.

You can also read some helpful comments about statements under the topic "Understanding my sons needs".

In NN's experience, provision of VI support services in schools is patchy across the UK. If you're lucky, you will get brilliant help and support. Certainly most of the VI support staff, teachers, LSAs etc I meet are fantastic and very dedicated people.

At the other end of the spectrum, we've heard about areas with next to no provision -- or in exceptional cases -- staff who are disinterested and ill-informed about nystagmus. Fortunately, those cases are rare, but there's no denying that they exist.

John