Is my daughter's school supporting her special education needs?

Q. My 11-year old daughter is currently in a small all-girls independent school. She has auditory processing difficulties and possible dyslexic tendencies. We are concerned the school is not adjusting their teaching to sufficiently accommodate her needs, although she is herself very happy there. We could move her to a bigger co-ed school a bit further away with a good Learning Support Dept. I am concerned that the move will disrupt her happiness and confidence but wonder if ultimately she might learn better in a co-ed environment?

A. You are absolutely right not to underestimate the impact of your daughter’s happiness at her current school. Your daughter’s happiness and subsequent success are not mutually exclusive but completely interdependent; a move at this stage might prove highly detrimental.

That said, it is important that you discuss your concerns with your daughter’s Head straight away. At the same time, if you have not already done so, ensure that the school has a copy of your daughter’s most up to date Educational Psychologist’s Report; the Head will then ensure that the guidance held within the report informs your daughter’s ‘Individual Education Plan’ at school. Ask to see your daughter’s ‘Individual Educational Plan’ and discuss the proposed provision with the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator. Follow this up by discussing the provision with your daughter’s subject teachers at the next Parents’ Evening.

This is just the start of the support your daughter should enjoy. It is vital that Special Educational Needs Coordinators do not work in isolation; they should advise and guide the teaching your daughter receives at all times. Your daughter’s school sounds ideally placed to support your daughter’s needs and her difficulties should be seen as the responsibility of the entire staff who teach her. With appropriate communication I am sure this can and will be achieved.

I would consider a change of school only as a last resort. Your daughter will benefit greatly from a single-sex environment where she feels comfortable and confident participating freely in lessons, enabling her to consolidate the strategies needed to overcome her difficulties. Your daughter’s current happiness and confidence speaks volumes and will prove such a powerful tool in ensuring that she makes the progress she so deserves in the future.