Secondaries for bright Aspergers

[Penguinsetpandas]

Just moved to Cambridgeshire village over summer and children started village secondary. Daughter is fine, son (Aspergers) is really struggling and school saying no budget to help. They've told us to apply for an EHCP by ourselves but can't see us getting that as school needs to prove they are doing everything first.

Wondering about other schools / what to do next? He's undiagnosed but we always had support from his primary. This school just keep asking us to collect him, its not legal but just say they have no spare staff or funds. He's very bright especially maths. Thanks.

[BlueChampagne]

Impington VC?

[Stillnoidea]

or Comberton Village College? I think there may be people on this site with SEN experience of Comberton so hopefully one of them can tell you more.

[Penguinsetpandas]

Thanks very much. We are south so Comberton is closer and from website looks really good and sort of thing we need.

We are trying to work through with current school but they seem completely out of their depth and are just sending him home all the time unofficially and saying they have no funding to help. I've called the LEA and they are going to talk to school but not sure how far we will get so want a back up plan. I would also prefer a school that goes to 18, current one stops at 16 and don't fancy going through this at 16 with A Levels looming. Thanks very much.

[Tingalingle]

Comberton, if possible.

[EmmaGrundyForPM]

Comberton is excellent for children with Aspergers. It has a separate unit where children can spend as much or little time as they need. One of my son's friends hardly came into the main school at all in Y7 and 8 but starting integrating more (with support) in Y9. By 6th form he was in mainstream classes all the time.

[Penguinsetpandas]

Thanks very much. Comberton sounds like what he needs.

[Tingalingle]

Current school: get it in writing each time they send him home -- that is, illegally exclude him. Don't agree by phone, or if you do, I'd follow it up by email:
'I note that on 8 October you again said that you could not meet Billy's needs in school because of inadequate resources and staffing, so you have excluded him for the afternoon. I have accepted this on this occasion but please let me know how you plan to avoid it in future.'

'Please give me a full account of the length of time for which Billy was missing on 3 October, and let me know what steps you are taking to ensure that this safeguarding failure is not repeated.'

'In our meeting on 25 September you told me that XX was not possible because of lack of funding.'
etc, etc.

Copy the head in, and possibly also anyone you've contacted in the LA.

I don't think your son will be able to access the Cabin at Comberton without a diagnosis and/or EHCP, but the school ethos is much more geared towards getting the best out of children with Asperger's (especially bright kids!) because there are so many of them there.

A possible snag is that Cambridge 'doesn't do autism diagnoses' for the over-12s, according to a friend. This website says otherwise:
www.cpft.nhs.uk/training/cambridgeshire-neurodevelopmental-service.htmI
but anecdotally that might be the case -- there was certainly an initial tendency to put parents off seeking diagnosis.

[mastertomsmum]

I have also heard good things about Comberton and IVC.

My DC is at St Bede's and they definitely specialise in SEN there. They help well with my DC's minor difficulties and we know several ASD kids all well catered for.

However, like many Cambridgeshire schools, there is currently no sixth form.

[supercalafragalistic]

My son who has ASD and an EHCP is at St Bedes and they are excellent with him. Although I would say that without an EHCP getting the support he needs at any secondary school will be tough. Have you applied for one yourself? It’s quite a bit of work but well worth it. The website IPSEA gives lots of advice

[mastertomsmum]

We know someone with a DS with aspergers who doesn't have an EHCP and he does seem to get good support.

My DC has had good support with emotions, learning to touch type and they were very well up on how to ensure participation in sports.

Sports teacher slightly meh but SENCO put them right

[Penguinsetpandas]

Thanks very much. He got through primary OK with no EHCP but that was easier as there were class TAs and one year there he had he's own that school funded. Primary didn't think he was bad enough for EHCP but he's really struggling with transition.

Made some progress today with school after they lost him completely outside for an hour yesterday and didn't tell me but told DD so complained to Head. Also have called LA for help and they called school to tell them what help they should be offering. They offered today to apply for Ed Psych and a TA for him and to put him on reduced lessons at school next couple of days and rest in support hub. Did send him home again today though but DH said he was very distressed. Great to know other schools though if we don't get anywhere. Think we are safest to try for EHCP. Thanks very much!

[supercalafragalistic]

Sounds like you have lots of great evidence there to give you evidence to apply for an EHCP needs assessment. Remember the legal criteria for one is 1- has or may have special educational needs and 2- may need help to access the curriculum. Go for it as you have nothing to lose. Do PM if you want any support as I’ve just been through the process myself.

[Penguinsetpandas]

Thanks very much.