Navigating School Support: How to Share Your Concerns

Education is a team sport. Children thrive best when home and school move in the same direction. A strong, collaborative partnership is the ultimate foundation for your child’s academic and emotional well-being throughout their education.

If you notice your child is struggling, the first port of call should always be their class or form teacher. They see your child daily and can offer immediate insights. Often a quick, constructive chat will be all that's needed to align strategies between home and school and have both sides working in partnership for the good of your child.

If you suspect your child has an undiagnosed special educational need (SEN), the next step is to request a meeting with the school’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENDCo). To prepare, it is helpful to gather your own observations of where your child struggles at home, such as with homework, concentration, or emotional regulation. Every school has a SENDCo who is an expert in advising on SEN. Working with you, they can look at classroom evidence, initiate internal screening, and implement practical adaptations to the classroom experience to ensure your child feels supported while their needs are explored.

Beyond internal adjustments, schools are also essential gateways to specialised external support. If your child requires a formal assessment or faces mental health hurdles, the school can signpost or refer your family to relevant outside agencies, such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) or Mental Health Support Teams (MHST). Open, proactive communication ensures everyone working with your child is on the same page, so please never hesitate to reach out.

Emma Ford