Jimmy moves on, by the Support for Learning teacher

From fairly early on, most of us involved with Jimmy could tell that his learning situation and learning environment as not working for him; it was even documented in this blog.  I can't recall who said it but it was clear that Jimmy was regressing in so many ways.

In a previous post, I said that Jimmy's parents wanted to appeal his decision not to attend a school with a special unit.  Parents do have a right to appeal these decisions, but these appeals should be submitted days after a ruling.  As it had been months since the ruling, a new application for a special school needed to be completed by us at the school and by Jimmy's parents, with supporting documents from the professionals who worked with him (such as the Speech and Language therapist, the Occupational therapist and the Visiting Supporting Teacher).  A panel of professionals and local authority educational workers met to discuss the application and the new application was approved.  Luckily, a place in a special language unit was available in a nearby school .

Jimmy's last day at our school was Friday and he began at his new school on Monday.  We wish him and his parents the best of luck at the new school.


Written by Ms Childs

The review meeting, by the Support for Learning Teacher

The day of the Jimmy's review meeting was nearly five weeks after we saw Jimmy's parents and we all voiced the same concerns.  Since that meeting, the P1s have started to attend school for the full day.  Most of the time, Jimmy falls asleep for a part or most of the afternoon.  He is beginning to soil himself at school too, sometimes multiple times a day.  Overall, Jimmy was continuing to be unsettled in class and at school.  There are some small rays of light, though: Jimmy was granted extra Learning Assistant time to help him with the full days and now another Learning Assistant other than Mrs Brodie works with Jimmy in the afternoons.  Jimmy at times sits, listens to a story and drinks his milk with the rest of the class.  The other children look out for Jimmy and try to engage with him.  It isn't reciprocated, unfortunately.

Jimmy's parents also decided that they were definitely going to protest the rejection of a special school place.  The team around the table (consisting of two Educational Psychologists, a Support Learning Co-ordinator, a Visiting Teacher from the Visiting Teacher and Support Service, Mrs Irvine, Mrs Morris, Mrs Brodie and me) generally agreed with this decision.  After all, most of us had observed or worked with Jimmy in class and agreed that his situation was serious and untenable. 

The team also discussed another, different point: Jimmy being moved to the other P1 classroom.  This move was recommended by Visiting Teacher and Support Service.  The team again discussed the issue and determined that, while we were not sure this would necessarily help Jimmy to settle better, the current situation was so grave that this option must be heeded.  So after the October holidays, Jimmy will move from Mrs Irvine's class to Mrs Mouat's class.


Written by Ms Childs