Sorry to all those who read this blog...I haven't written for a good while now...I have been too riled up! I got to the end of my term flexi-schooling my daughter, and was so proud of our acheivements. I have a folder full of the work we have done: she has learnt how to tell the time; the 2,3,4,5,10 and 11 times tables; understands tables and fractions; knows the sequences of days of the week/months of the year, can spell the 1-150 (out of the 300/75% of ) most used words confidently and has read 3 'proper' books cover to cover and can read sooooo much better. We still have work to do, especially writing skills, but I was so happy with her progress....
Then I had a meeting with the School, the last week of term. During the time I flexi-schooled my daughter I was given no support or guidance, or requests for progress...being me though, I kept a detailed log of progress and was able to show this to the Headteacher. Then, after being suitably impressed, she hit me with the news that she was no longer going to let me flexi-school. I was devastated, and said I would do anything to continue - go into School, do any hours most suitable, but 'Please, please,' I said, 'don't take this away from us.' She said that my daughter showed 'little progress in assessments,' (despite going from way below average in the SATs at the beginning of the term to average [average? - amazing!!] in the CATs at the end of term ), and that on that basis she could not let flexi-schooling continue. She had not talked to me, my daughter, heard her read or talked to her class teacher. I eventually persuaded her to allow me 'some time - maybe a morning' to tutor her, 'but this would be discussed in September..'
I went through it all, I would change Schools, take her out altogether & home School, move both my children to another School, maybe even move and get a new start...I was so angry and disappointed.....But time heals, and I have decided that if I am to help other parents in this situation - which is something I want to do in the future - I have to stick it out and fight for my rights. I was made to feel a failure, then I got a present of an inscribed pen from a tutee I have been helping in a similar way to my daughter saying 'To a brilliant tutor,' and I remembered who I should listen to.
So watch out - for the next instalment in September. Ding, ding!! Round 2!!
