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Original poster

Can anyone recommend a fantastic school mainstream or special, for an autistic child with a normal IQ?

54 replies

Redbrickwall · 03/02/2021 22:40

Basically the title says it all

Anywhere in the U.K, a secondary school whether that’s mainstream or special, that you have had good experiences of for children with autism but a normal IQ?

Our daughter is 8, has autism, selective mutism and SPD. She’s very compliant but won’t talk or look at anyone and we need to find her a school that will suit her needs. She’s academically very able. She needs significant help and support due to not speaking and the anxiety surrounding this

We are prepared to move anywhere in the U.K. to get this right.

My googling is overwhelming.

We are in the process of an EHCP.

Ideally state schools please

Thank you

OP posts:
MrsSchadenfreude · 04/02/2021 16:37

Vanguard School in Kennington. No idea what it’s like, as it’s brand new.

There is also an outstanding school in North Wales. My friends relocated to send their daughter there.

Original poster
Redbrickwall · 04/02/2021 16:28

Thank you, you’re all stars. Will reply properly when kids are in bed

OP posts:
Original poster
Redbrickwall · 04/02/2021 16:26

@caringcarer

St George's, Edgbaston, Birmingham. It is a small school but has children across all ability including very able. They have a large proportion of their children with autism. All staff are trained by National Autistic Society. I used to work there and can tell you everything is focused around maximizing potential of every student. There are a large number of well trained and qualified classroom assistants. Every student has a personalised timetable. The school is very caring. I have worked in a lot of schools but this school in my opinion was the most accomodating of each child's individual needs. Although they accept students of all ability levels they get above average results. Go on to their website and take a look. You can pm if you need any more information.
Oh thank you SO much! We are very interested in Warwickshire to move to , so not too far away either.

I will PM you when the children are in bed to pick your brains further. Thank you !

OP posts:
sd249 · 04/02/2021 13:20

Also maybe look at mainstream schools with an ASD provision.
I used to work in a school with one and it was almost a mini school within a school.

All students well within the academic capabilities of mainstream but they were supported very well.

I did a quick google and found lots: www.google.co.uk/search?&q=ASD+provision

ChristopherTracy · 04/02/2021 11:09

There is one in my area that has an autism unit within a normal comp and here

Teddersmum · 04/02/2021 10:53

Kingswood House in Epsom is becoming co-Ed in September and is very inclusive. It’s fee paying though.

LadyWhistledownthe1st · 04/02/2021 10:42

Have a look on the national autistic society website, they have 7 schools across the UK. Some are free and others are independent like Robert Ogden, I’m hoping for Robert Ogden for my non-verbal son.

Cactusowl · 04/02/2021 10:06

With an EHCP your child could get funding from the council for a private school.
Egerton Rothesay is already mentioned above. It’s in Herts but it’s difficult to get funding from Herts, it’s worth calling the school and asking which county most of the children who get funding come from - you may be better off for example moving to Bucks.

You might find your DD doesn’t need a specialist school and would thrive in a small independent instead which could also be funded via an EHCP.

Bigbigbirfday · 04/02/2021 10:03

Also look at Passmores in Harlow, Vic Goddard’s place, it has an autism hub and is state maintained.

caringcarer · 04/02/2021 10:02

I should have added many children at At George's have fees paid by LA.

Bigbigbirfday · 04/02/2021 10:01

(Independent, not sure if it’s a section 41 school or not)

Bigbigbirfday · 04/02/2021 10:01

Lots from Essex go up to Gretton, with transport, on an EHCP.

caringcarer · 04/02/2021 10:00

St George's is an independent school, not state.

caringcarer · 04/02/2021 09:59

St George's, Edgbaston, Birmingham. It is a small school but has children across all ability including very able. They have a large proportion of their children with autism. All staff are trained by National Autistic Society. I used to work there and can tell you everything is focused around maximizing potential of every student. There are a large number of well trained and qualified classroom assistants. Every student has a personalised timetable. The school is very caring. I have worked in a lot of schools but this school in my opinion was the most accomodating of each child's individual needs. Although they accept students of all ability levels they get above average results. Go on to their website and take a look. You can pm if you need any more information.

Original poster
Redbrickwall · 04/02/2021 09:52

A massive thank you to everyone so far. I felt so lost but this is helping me focus.

Our daughter is academically able in that she exceeds in maths and is ‘as expected’ in everything else. So pretty much average across the board. But she won’t talk at school and won’t look at anyone and is drowning in the expectations socially already Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
Redbrickwall · 04/02/2021 09:51

@Zodlebud

Egerton Rothesay school in Berkhamsted, Herts. It’s private but a number of Local Authorities fully fund places with an EHCP.

Alfriston School in Beaconsfield (state) might also be worth a look although without knowing your daughter and her abilities it’s hard to say. They have a great speech and language department and it has the benefit of being all girls. Many of the schools that fit that halfway house between mainstream and fully special needs tend to be quite boy heavy. The school needs to be named on an EHCP to be considered for a space.

Thank you so much! Am about to email them. So helpful x
OP posts:
Original poster
Redbrickwall · 04/02/2021 09:50

@LadyWhistledownthe1st

I would recommend Robert Ogden school in South Yorkshire. It is independent save but the majority of the fees are covered by the LA if you are adamant this is the school you want. You do have to make a contribution but housing is cheaper in South Yorkshire than the South so maybe that would balance out?
Oh this looks amazing! I’ve emailed them! And yes, we currently live in Essex so could easily balance out contributing to the school costs because we could have a much smaller mortgage in Yorkshire x
OP posts:
Zodlebud · 04/02/2021 08:51

Egerton Rothesay school in Berkhamsted, Herts. It’s private but a number of Local Authorities fully fund places with an EHCP.

Alfriston School in Beaconsfield (state) might also be worth a look although without knowing your daughter and her abilities it’s hard to say. They have a great speech and language department and it has the benefit of being all girls. Many of the schools that fit that halfway house between mainstream and fully special needs tend to be quite boy heavy. The school needs to be named on an EHCP to be considered for a space.

LadyWhistledownthe1st · 04/02/2021 07:22

It is a National Autistic Society school

LadyWhistledownthe1st · 04/02/2021 07:22

I would recommend Robert Ogden school in South Yorkshire. It is independent save but the majority of the fees are covered by the LA if you are adamant this is the school you want. You do have to make a contribution but housing is cheaper in South Yorkshire than the South so maybe that would balance out?

Original poster
Redbrickwall · 04/02/2021 07:19

Thank you! I have so far emailed all schools suggested to enquire.

Also very useful for areas to avoid.

Please keep them coming Smile

OP posts:
lydia2021 · 04/02/2021 01:21

Fairmead. Somerset or
residential high school for autistic girls near Bristol. 12 pupils or thereabouts enrolled there. Cant remember the name of it

HoldontoOneMoreDay · 04/02/2021 01:10

Avoid Scotland. The speaking/listening parts of the curriculum are non-negotiable in mainstream and the special schools are almost exclusively for very high-needs children with no expectation of academic success.

foxesandsquirrels · 04/02/2021 00:56

Heartlands High School or Alexandra Park School in N London. V expensive catchment though.