Alternative education

[muiisal]

(Cross posted in SN)

I’m looking for the seemingly impossible school for my DS, and would love any thoughts! I’m looking for alternative education (Montessori/Steiner/Buddhist/Neo-Humanist or the likes) which is on the commuter belt into London, and accepts children with ASD (with a EHCP).

Impossible??

[RoseAndRose]

How far are you prepared to commute? What age is DS?

And wouid you consider boarding at somewhere like Summerhills?

[muiisal]

We’re prepared to commute 1.5 hours each way (work is in Piccadilly Circus).

I don’t think boarding school would suit as he’s very attached to my DH and I and is extremely vulnerable in his thinking.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

Steiner schools do not have a strong reputation for meeting the needs of children with SEN. Disability and learning difficulties are seen by some as the consequences of negative actions in a previous life.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

If you are comfortable with the ethos of anthroposophy and decide to go for a Steiner education, then be aware that the school in Hertfordshire is being investigated regarding serious safeguarding concerns, and may have to close.

[muiisal]

thanks for your post TheSecondOfHerName. Respectfully, it would be wonderful if this thread could not digress into another anti-steiner thread...

[meditrina]

Steiner schools generally follow an undifferentiated curriculum which is rather more rigid than a 'normal' state school, so I doubt very much it would be suitable for OP's DC.

How old is he?

[muiisal]

He's 6

[TheSecondOfHerName]

Could High Elms be suitable, OP?

www.highelmsmanorschool.com/about-us.html

[meditrina]

Bedes in Eastbourne, if you can face the commute

www.bedes.org/prep-school/about.aspx

[TheSecondOfHerName]

I wasn't trying to derail the thread. I have a son with ASD, and live within commuting distance of central London, and was just trying to be helpful.

[muiisal]

Thanks for these suggestions, checking them out now. I should have said too he's very behind academically (+ has slow processing, memory recall etc.) so any schools with admissions including a standardised testing is going to be out for us unfortunately...

[TheSecondOfHerName]

The Treehouse School might be too far (Oxfordshire) but otherwise looks like it could be suitable.

[Kokeshi123]

Montessori/Steiner/Buddhist/Neo-Humanist or the likes

They are all quite different from each other. Steiner schools have the reputation of being pretty weird and not being supportive for children with developmental challenges etc.

[Zodlebud]

It is not an alternative school but is beyond excellent at meeting the needs of children who require a little help. The curriculum is adapted so it is appropriate to each child and is rated very highly. Egerton Rothersay School in Berkhamsted.

[Zodlebud]

I strongly believe that parents choose whatever education they want for their kids, including Steiner, and that it's really nobody's business but theirs.

Please do, however, be extremely careful with the Kings Langley Steiner School (that is if it's even allowed to operate any more). A six year old was found wandering alone around the local town, which is a good 5-10 min walk away. The police were called. They were a pupil at the school and the school hadn't even noticed they were missing. Instead of addressing the issue head on, the school has closed ranks and made no / fee changes.

This is invariably not indicative of all Steiner Schools, but I honestly wouldn't any child anywhere near that place if they are unprepared to put even the most basic child safety as a priority.

[Zodlebud]

"Few" changes, not "fee"

[TheSecondOfHerName]

Agree with everything Zodlebud has said. DD has a friend at Egerton Rothesay who is very happy there.

[muiisal]

Great I’ll check it out - thanks! I have heard the LA for berkhamstead (so?) is notoriously bad for EHCP dealings but perhaps that’s just when you don’t have one... I have heard the same for Oxfordshire so perhaps I need to investigate this. Does your friends child who attends Egerton Rothersay School have an EHCP?

And to avoid further Steiner postings, thanks, but we have many (positive) years experience with Steiner and are well aware of the discussions surrounding (including KL).

[TheSecondOfHerName]

Yes, she has an EHCP.

[Zodlebud]

As does my friend's son with high functioning autism. The school is very expensive but I do not know a child yet who hasn't thrived there.

[2014newme]

That's a broad range of schools you're considering, from. Buddhist to steiner
🤔 therefore id throw quaker schools into the mix for consideration

[2014newme]

Avoid summerhill it's like lord of the flies. I know someone who left at a hearing 16 totally illiterate, never attended a lesson. Could not count, read and was used to living in a community where he could do whatever he wanted. Didn't adapt well to normallife, ended badly

[Mary21]

Here is a list of schools, you would need to contact them re ECHP and I imagine it would depend on the level of need and mix of kids
St Chris Letchworth
St Michael Steiner Feltham
Educare small school Kingston
London Acorn
Rosemary works
Riverston
New Forest small school
Small acres ?.still open
Sunrise primary Tottenham

[AlexPB]

Regarding St Michael Steiner School in Feltham. We had a terrible experience with our child there, and I would not recommend this school.

[muiisal]

Thanks for the reply, would love to know more about your experiences there. I tried to speak with them but they wouldn't even engage with me at all about my sons needs until we paid the application fee. They are the only school of many I've spoken to which has insisted on that, and I disagree with that completely so didn't apply.