Schools in the Witherslack Group - Experiences and Fees

[Galaxymum]

WE are looking towards secondary education for DD who is almost 10 and due to her stresses due to being in the ASD and also ADHD we are looking at specialist schools. I have been looking at the websites for a couple of their schools which are not too far away. Does anyone have any experiences and also the fees for day pupils. I can't find the info.
I don't want to go, fall for the school and then find it is way out of budget. But I wondered if you can get grants/support?

[ouryve]

Does she have a statement or EHCP, at the moment?

DS1 goes to an Independent special school - it's named on his EHCP and the LA pays his fees (which is just as well, as they're as much as our house is worth)

[Galaxymum]

Yes she has a Statement and is quite high for mainstream as she is a F. I am just starting to look into it and now found the fees are far more than we could afford but I have the feeling the school will be ideal.

It's very difficult as we know DD wouldn't cope at a mainstream high school for the stress and type of learning. She is behind at mainstream primary but not that much and I am worried she will not reach her potential at the general local specialist school for SEN. The state funded school for children with autism is about 30 miles and down the motorway. But also on the whole the children have much greater needs in their autism and learning difficulties. DD doesn't have learning difficulties - it is purely her autism which prevents achievement in different areas.

Thanks for the reply - I will look into funding and see if it is a possibility.

[ouryve]

This SOSSEN sheet is a little out of date in that it is written with statements in mind, but it does explain to you where you stand
www.sossen.org.uk/information_sheets/website_2.6.1.pdf

Your DD is entitled to a suitable educational placement. If the school you're looking at is the only suitable placement, then the LA need to consider it or find some other way of meeting her needs, properly, in school (ie they can't insist you opt out and home ed permanently - that would only be your choice to make). They should be paying for it whether it's a Mainstream, special or independent specialist placement.

[Galaxymum]

Thank you very much ouryve. I'll look at this with DH so we have info to consider.

[ouryve]

Ipsea and sossen websites both worth reading dry!

[honkinghaddock]

I have 2 friends whose teenage children attend a Witherslack group school. Both have the fees paid by the LA. Ds attends a different independent specialist school, also paid for by LA. Ds's school will only accept those funded by LA.

[Galaxymum]

That is interesting honkinghaddock - thanks for letting me know. I feel a bit more hopeful than the other day.

[Lazeedayz]

Ds attends a Witherslack school. Fees are funded by LA and I don't think even if parents have the funds they accept private funding.

If you want to know the cost though, Ofsted reports contain this information.