James Calvert Spence College

James Calvert Spence rated a Good school.

I want to raise awareness of the fact that parents and students with SEN needs aren't alone in their struggle with school. There are so many of us fighting the same fight.

Today I attended an emergency CYPS meeting to address the care, medication and management of my son with ADHD. He is being bullied at James Calvert Spence, which involves spitting and punching rather than name calling, and he is becoming more and more anxious and depressed whilst also acting out.

We thought that his medication had stopped working, however it was explained to us that behavioural problems aren't related to ADHD, it's his environment that affects his behaviour.

During the meeting we learned several things.
We were informed that the team sees numerous children with special needs who are being bullied at James Calvert Spence, it is an ongoing and serious problem which is not being rectified.

They are renowned for apologising and saying what parents want to hear and then failing to implement any strategies, which we have found out ourselves on three separate occasions.
The school repeatedly places the blame of the most recent member of staff that has left employ, refusing all accountability.

Teachers are rigid in their approach and treat all ADHD students in the same way, comparing behaviours against the highest functioning students in each category and not taking the spectrum into consideration. They therefore issue C3's and detentions for symptoms of medical conditions, i.e impulsivity, inability to concentrate or failure to process and this comply to directions.

The conclusion of the meeting was that unless the school environment changed then the impact on SEN students would continue to be dire.

We've been referred to Early Help which will mediate with the school to address the bullying as we just keep getting fobbed off.

Some aspects of the school are indeed Good, however other areas leave a lot to be desired.

Good teachers and in my opinion good management; it could use some reformation as the handling of bullying and related topics need to be handled much better.