secondary school for daughter suffering from depression

[fimint]

Has anyone any suggestions for caring schools within reach of Sheen? My daughter has missed Yr10 with depression and anxiety. She wants to start afresh somewhere new - she's very bright, but sensitive and has suffered some online bullying at her last school.
Private or state is okay - I've looked at Hampton Court House which is lovely, but the new head is leaving after just one year and I am a bit dubious about it academically (but, too be honest, that's not the priority now). Also looking at Collingham in South Ken.
I wondered about Orleans Park which has great Ofsted, but is quite big. We need somewhere which will really look after her and help her make friends and put down roots.
Thanks for any suggestions/advice.

[mebaasmum]

Orleans park is a good school but very oversubscribed. What about Canbury in Kingston or St Catherines in Twickenham

[fimint]

I'll have a look at Canbury, but we now know that all girls is not the answer for her. Thanks

[takeonboard]

I don't know your area so can't recommend a school but have you contacted the Good Schools Guide, you can get a telephone or face to face consultation. I have been told that they will find a school to fit any child and if bullying is the problem they can do it very quickly, a friend of mine did this for her DS and they did exactly as they promised. he has moved and is happy, good luck to both of you.

[CarrotsAreNotTheOnlyVegetables]

I wouldn't recommend Canbury for a very bright girl - it is mainly known for SEN.

DH has a client who taught there who said there was some very challenging behaviour there and she found it almost impossible to get any meaningful teaching done.

Also it has practically no outside space now they have completed an extension. Seriously, my back garden is bigger. They do have Richmond park round the corner but it must be a bit of a faff having to troop round there just to get some fresh air.

[Punkatheart]

It might be well out of distance for you, but Leighton Park in Reading is the most wonderful place. I sell it to everyone! They are so compassionate and also have a counsellor on site who could help. They seem to have the knack of turning children around. It's a thoughtful and kind school. My daughter is a day boarder there and has blossomed considerably. Beautiful grounds, lovely after school clubs. It is generally good for the spirits! Academically good too - with an individual attention that is quite astonishing....

[fimint]

Thanks, that has all been very, very useful. The heads up on Canbury saves me a trip. Leighton Park sounds intriguing - I'm not sure if she could cope with boarding - of if we could fund it?! But, I will have a look at the website.

[Iamaworrywart]

Thames Christian College is 5 minutes walk from Clapham Junction train station. It's mixed and only has about 120 children. I think they also offer the option of retaking years which might suit your daughter.

Good Luck

[bambiandthumper]

Personally I would only consider Collingham if standard education really hasn't worked out for her, as generally crammers like those don't have that great an intake.

That said, it is thought to have far more of a 'school' environment than MPW or Westminster Tutors (the other crammers that when I was at school (10 years ago), and people today went to, after being expelled or leaving their public school.

[zeolite]

Have you considered home-education for next year, then look at starting afresh at sixth form? Giving her time emotionally and the flexibility to sit her exams over several sessions may make a big difference.

Has DD been referred by GP to CAMHS for professional support? Sensitive clever kids are sometimes more vulnerable, and if she's happy again she'll probably do very well wherever she goes.

[fimint]

Yes, we have considered home education for a year, but she is adamant that she doesn't want that. I can see why - part of her problem is that we moved back from abroad 18 months ago and she has no friends here - then being ill and missing school meant she never had the chance to make any. Home education would solve the academic problem, but not the social one.

However, if trying to go to a new school this September fails, then home tutoring is the only option for a while.

After a year of seeing a private GP and counsellor she is now under the care of CAMHS.

[MmeBlueberry]

Is Sir William Perkins's School in Chertsey too far from you?

Lovely girls, bright and caring. Good pastoral care.

[tamegazelle]

I have no personal expereince of Putney Park School, but I recently met someone who is now at Uni and who moved to PP after being bullied at another school. She spoke very highly of the pastoral care there.

[merrilyverily]

Our DD is at St James Olympia, quite a few girls come from your area. we are nearly at the end of year 11 and I think it is fab. I could rave about it all night! Roll of bt 300. Lots of attention to individual girl; headmistress has a strong sense of what the girls should be about: kind, strong, keen sense of serving the wider community. Mine has thrived and she isn't very 'schooly'

[merrilyverily]

Our DD is at St James Olympia, quite a few girls come from your area. we are nearly at the end of year 11 and I think it is fab. I could rave about it all night! Roll of bt 300. Lots of attention to individual girl; headmistress has a strong sense of what the girls should be about: kind, strong, keen sense of serving the wider community. Mine has thrived and she isn't very 'schooly'

[MeantToStopAtTwo]

My knowledge is out-of-date but I personally would think that the likes of Collingham and MPW might be worth a close look at. They both have good reputations and are not cheap, so are likely to attract reasonably high-calibre students. Yet students who are likely to be more sympathetic towards someone who has a hard time than students in a standard year 10/11 class would be.

I vaguely looked at it myself for A-levels, although this was many moons ago. It seemed like the student body was quite international and that it was good on one-to-attention. I have a friend who came over from Monaco to do A-levels there and went on to Oxford. I also know of a CLC girl who went there after having had glandular fever during her GCSE years and did extremely well.

[Mrsrobertduvall]

Maxyff...you seem to be resurrecting old threads and obviously have a real issue with HCH

[cory]

No experience of this area, but one tip would be to book an appointment with the SENCO and head of year at any school you are thinking of and be totally upfront about your dd's situation and then watch for their reactions If they have constructive ideas, go for them- if they look po-faced or nervous, don't touch them with a bargepole!

Have a daughter of same age and with similar problems, and count my blessings every day in having a supportive school.