Special needs school vs Mainstream Dorset

[EandOmummy]

Hi,
Im new here so hello to you all and thanks for letting me join.
My daughter will be 5 in June and after 6 mths of Mainstream we had to remove her and she is currently back in her sn preschool which she loves. She has mild/moderate needs, global developmental delay and moderate speech and language delay plus medical needs for her epilepsy which requires the school to be fairly near a hospital with an A&E dept. Just wondering if anyone can suggest or has experience of any locally in Dorset? either independent or state? just would very much appreciate any advice atall.
Thanks
PS....A statuatory assesment has been started.

[fivegomadinthelambingshed]

For A&E you are looking at Poole or Dorchester. There is a special need school in Weymouth, Wyvern School, which looks to be expanding hugely, I haven't been there for many years but it was lovely. Schools I am not so sure of as we are in Wool.

[madwomanintheattic]

you need to call the lea in the area you are looking and speak to the area inclusion officer for early years. they should be able to provide you with a list of settings. tbh it's usually on the web. if you know which lea you'll be able to find it quite easily. once you have the list you can just call them all and arrange to visit, so that you are ready to put your two penn'orth in for named school.

what's good for one child won't necessarily be good for another though - so many variables. visiting and discussing your particular requirements is your best bet.

[Mrsdoasyouwouldbedoneby]

There are several in the poole area (I can think of at least 3 off the top of my head.. though one name has slipped my mind... I know where it is...). They all vary according to actual need so it would depend. I.e the schools don't exactly specialise, but depending on your child's needs thee LEA might recommend one over the other. That's special needs (or complex needs). The local A and E is fairly close to all of them.

[Jezabelle]

Damers First School is a mainstream next to A&E in Dorchester. Has outstanding ofsted for what they're worth. Think the MadWoman's suggestion is the best though. Where do you live (if you'd like to share that info).

[EandOmummy]

Thanks for all the info, I will contact the LEA for advice...we live in Dorchester but have had problems with Damers so are looking elsewhere, probably a sn school will be needed...we would be happy to move if neccessary as dh works near poole anyway..

[pinkthechaffinch]

I can confirm that Damers is excellent-ds used to go there-v supportive and inclusive.

North Dorset, there is Yewstock in Sturminster Newton which takes children until 18, v good for autism. Not close to A and E tho.-helicopter to Yeovil or Dorch, i think it would be.

[UnSerpentQuiCourt]

What about Prince of Wales school in Dorchester? Pretty sure that they have a special unit, but can't remember exactly which special needs they cayer for.

[pinkthechaffinch]

I think they have a pre-school special needs unit- used to be called 'The Opportunity Group'.

[flyinstar]

montacute special needs school poole,take a huge range of children,5 minutes to a&e,(outstanding offsted report)onsite school nurses,very used to dealing with epilepsy)ask to visit.