Gretton School, Cambridge

[KOKOagainandagain]

Does anybody have any knowledge/experience of this school that they are willing to share? Feel free to PM me if you prefer.

[Pebbles72]

Not the school for my son. I have looked round on a number of occasions and was horrified by the low deucation and behaviour standards and expectations. At assessment they worked hand in glove with the LA to seriously underestimate my son's needs and provision, which was at total odds with his Psychiatrist's and EP's documented views. Their ASD support was fine but educational standards were appalling. I went to tribunal to keep my son out and after a very long drawn out process he is now settled in another independent ASD specialist school with extremely high standards of academic and behaviour experience and expectation, a proven track record of excellence and successfully supporting young people to leave for a life of independence - in work, apprentiships and at university. Many of the parents of chidlren at Gretton love it and decend it to the end but there are three parents at my son's current school who fought tooth and nail to get their sons out due to problems similar to those I have discussed above. I also know many other parents who have done everything possible, including tribunal, to keep their children out. I have heard Gretton described as 'marmite' - love it or hate it - and I certainly fall in to the hate it category. But it is also worth noting that my last dealings with them were just over a year ago so my views could be out of date but if you check their 2013/2014 parent views on the Ofsted web site they make interesting reading.
parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/parent-view-results/survey/result/126328/3

[Pebbles72]

I agree Gretton Parent. Children are individual and my son needed a very academically focused environment. The ASD spectrum is so wide and then once personality, learning styles and special interests are in the mix it becomes even wider. One school cannot possibly fit all and parents know when they visit whether their child will thrive in a particular environment. I'll pm you with my DS's school details.

[KOKOagainandagain]

Thanks to you both. I have read the parent views and can see the 'marmite' thing. It seems like parents whose DC board are 100% supportive. DS1 was out of school for an academic year before being placed in indi ss. His current school may not be perfect but it is nothing short of a miracle that he attends. Schools are so far and few between that there is always some compromise that has to be made.

[motherof4parklife]

May I ask which school you sent your son to? We are looking at the moment and it is so hard to decide what to do? many thanks.

[mumscare]

we are also looking at Gretton school for my DS who has ADHD and high functioning ASD. he is 16 years, he loves sports and looking for residential placement. any suggestions or advice plseas.

[Fr0thandBubble]

@Pebbles72 would you mind sharing (or private messaging me) the name of the school your son is at? Thanks!

[user1468528066]

@Pebbles72: Can you also share with me the school you’ve chosen to your son?

[user1468528066]

@Pebbles72: may I ask you to share the school you’ve chosen to your son?

[Pebbles72]

Sorry, I realise I had an old email attached to this acoount so have not been getting notifications. My son went to Swalcliffe Park. He is now 17 years old and I cannot fault it.