At the end of the school tour, they hang back, voices lowered and nervous expressions. “So, can we ask about our son? Do you have any spaces? He… he has some learning needs,” they say as if reporting SEND is disclosing a terrible secret.
It is a predictable story. The tale that follows involves paraphrased discussions, often with senior leaders or even SENDCos in their current or intended school. “They say they are not funded to meet his needs. They said they don’t have the skills and resources.” And then the follow-up, designed to flatter, guaranteed to incense: “They told us to come here because your reputation is so great and you have the expertise.”
It’s really simple to get a parent to look elsewhere. You just have to make them think that you don’t want their child. Do that and nine times out of ten they will do the rest. Would you send your child to a school that doesn’t want them?
