Charter School ED - SEN / ADHD experience

[bettyorange]

Definitely agree with all of the above, i would advise anyone who has children who are not super academic and especially those with an SEN. to avoid! Charter East does not nurture it's children and operates a punitive behavioural policy which penalises SEN kids to the point of exclusions.

The music, PE and art and drama department are woeful and the whole place is essentially oppressive.

There are however some wonderful teachers there, at the moment. But seems to be a steady stream of male teachers leaving including the amazing deputy head which will be a huge loss.

This school really has not found its feet since Mr Crossman left and i would seriously think twice if you have creative SEN boys especially.

[SarahWr]

Woeful experience for our SEN child at this school! Avoid!

[bubbachumps]

I have a child at Charter ED with ADHD and a variety of other learning problems and I really only have good things to say about the school and his experience there

[SarahWr]

Bubbachumps may I ask how is this possible? Does your son have an EHCP? My ADHD son is getting an INCREDIBLE amount of detentions, and isolations week after week. It’s crushing.

Edited October 18, 2024 by SarahWr

[Martoula]

I have a son with ASD and dyslexia diagnosis. We are awaiting for an ADHD one. He is at Heber Primary and although the staff is very caring, and is a nurturing school I have the same experience as many of you  in terms of learning and academic support. There seems to be a real issue with lack of funding and insufficient training for teachers. We are about to hear  from our EHCP application but the school has told us that because he is already benefiting from bespoke interventions, the EHCP is not likely to increase its support, which I find really worrying as he is falling behind academically  and it is affecting his confidence quite dramatically. We are almost told that he wont be able to access full English curriculum and I don;t really know what that means for his future really.

 

I am really worried about what I hear from ED Charter as it was supposed to be our first choice. Has anyone tried a special provision school in the area with relatively good feedback? It is daunting to think about how many kids with SEND needs are been failed by the system in general and by Southwark.

 

 

[bubbachumps]

On 17/10/2024 at 13:15, SarahWr said:

Bubbachumps may I ask how is this possible? Does your son have an EHCP? My ADHD son is getting an INCREDIBLE amount of detentions, and isolations week after week. It’s crushing.

My son doesn't have an EHCP.  He does sometime get detentions, but I think that's fair enough if he's disrupting the class and ignoring the warning system. I think the teachers are probably more lenient with him though due to the ADHD otherwise I think he'd get more than he does currently.    I find that liaising with individual teachers  has helped. To a person they have been incredibly kind, understanding and supportive.  He is happy and doing well and I don't feel I can ask for more than that.

[Pugwash]

There are teachers who have extensive experience of working with children with SEN but cannot access training to become SEN assessor (sorry cannot think of the correct title - senior moment ) as schools do not have the budget to undertake this. 

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[JMK]

Wondering if any parents have positive experiences from either Charter East or Charter North for SEN children?

The overall sentiment appears to be very negative 

Also, has anyone a positive experience of an Education Advocate similar to the one advertising here?
 

what’s the point of an Education Advocate if the school either has no resource or a poor culture when it comes to SEN support for the kids? An EA can’t change that

[fleurie]

You could probably spend money on an advocate to help to get your child an EHCP if they need one, but no one can change the culture of a school, so you need to find one that will work with you. I think all schools are so stretched at the moment, no one is really getting the support they need. My child is at Charter North with an EHCP and it has been really difficult. It does have quite a supportive culture though ime

[PeckhamNicola]

In my experience, if your child's SEN leads to behavioural issues, do not send them to Charter North. It's just endless detentions and threats of exclusion. Too many people try to get in because it is Ofsted outstanding. Not a good sign for SEN, your child would likely be better off in an Ofsted Good school with a better understanding of and attitude towards SEN. The new SENCO might turn things around. 

[malumbu]

Did you raise with the school?  I'd do that first.  My general experience was fine.  Loved the creative stuff 

Edited. Just realised I was referring to Charter North.

Edited May 16 by malumbu
Confused my Charters

[PeckhamNicola]

So many times.

 

[SarahWr]

Does anyone know a school with a better approach and understanding towards SEN in the area? 

Edited April 7 by SarahWr

[bettyorange]

Deptford Green and Elm Green anecdotally have a more realistic and compassionate to kids differing needs. Whether that is still the case i'm not sure.

Having 3 boys at Charter i would seriously consider a boys school if you have them, Charter East really aren't geared up for the different educational needs of some boys and the challenging behaviour this frustration leads to.

I have heard amazing things about St Thomas the Apostle boys school.

 

[PeckhamNicola]

I have heard similar about both Deptford Green and Elm Green, I believe the latter has some sort of ADHD provision. Deptford Green is much smaller than either Charter, which in hindsight would have been much better. There is so much crowd control in the bigger schools and they are busy and noisy.