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Original poster

Bristol: schools for autistic kids

59 replies

AlittlebitofMonica · 16/05/2024 19:25

Looking at secondary schools for my 9 year old (year 5) son. He’s autistic, but will be in mainstream.

He's bright, not sporty, and quite anxious, so needs a lot of encouragement and reassurance to do his best.

Can anybody recommend any schools in particular? We can pay for private if that’s the best option.

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7catsisnotenough · 09/06/2024 14:51

@AlittlebitofMonica, it can be, it's a well established academic institution BUT they do seem to have a very positive SEN reputation too

Tiggybest · 09/06/2024 12:04

@GruntledGoblin

I have looked at their website but it would mean relocating to the area. Is everything included cost wise with support. Things like ELSA are they offered? Many thanks

Tiggybest · 09/06/2024 11:33

We have looked at most of the Bristol ones Clifton High, Redmaids, Badminton, Sidcot, Cleve House. We edged into Glos and looked at Westonbirt too. Tricky decision.

Original poster
AlittlebitofMonica · 09/06/2024 09:14

@RMNofTikTok oh that’s good, hopefully they can find somewhere better suited.

@Tiggybest - I think we’re leaning towards private school as we think smaller class sizes are going to be the biggest help. Also tbh I don’t think we can get a decent EHCP in time! Which schools are you looking at? I’ve seen most of the privates by now so happy to discuss

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Tiggybest · 07/06/2024 22:07

Hello

Very helpful thread. I’d love to know more about Backwell School our girl with sensory processing/autism. We’re considering private for Year 5 and secondary but it’s a huge under taking. Someone mentioned Sidcot. I would say they are very quick to say they can’t offer one to one support. I’ve heard good things about St Katherine’s if you’re looking for state. We know someone who has a child with SEN there currently.its worked for them.

RMNofTikTok · 06/06/2024 20:21

@AlittlebitofMonica it's not been named on the final EHCP yet. I'm going to raise my concerns and ask for more schools to be consulted.

Original poster
AlittlebitofMonica · 06/06/2024 17:53

@RMNofTikTok oh god that does not sound suitable at all, can you appeal that? Thank you for all the info on BCCS, won’t be suitable for us so you have saved me a trip :)

@GruntledGoblin thank you, I’m not sure we can realistically cope with that school run but will take a look. And thank you also for the info re Sidcot, I have heard conflicting things there also.

@herebehippos - thank you, I will look!

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herebehippos · 06/06/2024 17:40

My autistic daughters are at backwell. Happy and mostly well supported.

GruntledGoblin · 06/06/2024 17:19

Allotment123 · 23/05/2024 20:44

Sidcot has a good reputation for quiet, no pressurised, I know a few autistic kids who go there. John Cabot used to be good for SEN 10 years ago, but so many cut backs in education budgets I don't know what it's like now

I would advise caution here. Sidcot has quietly pushed out autistic children in the past and not met their needs well at all. I'm talking maybe 5 years ago that we were considering it for DS, but were very put off by its poor reputation locally. Happy if I'm wrong and it's now improved of course.

GruntledGoblin · 06/06/2024 17:17

If you're prepared to look a little outside Bristol, I would heartily recommend Wycliffe Prep/College near Stroud. My son is also on the spectrum, clever, motivated but anxious and not great with social interactions and friendships.

The head there, Mrs Grant, is absolutely lovely and I can't fault the way she dealt with any issues arising with DS. He's now at the Senior school in Y9, has 2 close friends (I never thought this would happen! 😍) and is happy and successful.

Good luck in finding the right fit for your son.

RMNofTikTok · 06/06/2024 17:07

Just got back.

The site is insecure with no perimeter fence, so definitely not suitable for children that run off or wander.

It is virtually inaccessible for people with mobility needs, no level access and steep hills within the court yard, there's no disabled parking on site and security prevent you from driving onsite.

Because the classrooms are in different buildings it can be a long walk from one lesson to the next.

And as their SEN report suggests, it's LOUD.

Definitely not suitable for DD who is at risk of wandering, has sensitivity to noise, and has never successfully taken herself into a classroom without support.

RMNofTikTok · 06/06/2024 12:54

Well... the LA have stated their preferred placement for DD is BCCS despite her having large sensory processing differences.

I'm going for a tour there this afternoon, I'll feed back.

Original poster
AlittlebitofMonica · 24/05/2024 01:43

Thank you @Allotment123 , that’s quite far out for us but we will take a look

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Allotment123 · 23/05/2024 20:44

Sidcot has a good reputation for quiet, no pressurised, I know a few autistic kids who go there. John Cabot used to be good for SEN 10 years ago, but so many cut backs in education budgets I don't know what it's like now

MrsSchrute · 22/05/2024 19:31

We applied for an EHCP at the start of year 6, and had it in time for transfer to yr 7, despite the LA initially refusing to issue, so there is hope!

My experience of secondary is positive, and it totally depends on your son's personality and difficulties.

SMRT has an excellent reputation for supporting children with additional needs. Trinity is quite regimented but that may work for your son if he likes clear guidelines.

Can I ask which mainstream secondaries are close enough/easy enough to get to to be a consideration.

BrumToTheRescue · 22/05/2024 19:29

Personally, I think pursuing an EHCP is worth it.

Original poster
AlittlebitofMonica · 22/05/2024 19:27

@BrumToTheRescue yes there are definitely students with EHCPs at privates here, I’m just not sure if that’s a useful route for us given how hard/time consuming it will be to get a decent EHCP. Maybe we just focus on getting him into the right school even if private and then agree with them what he needs?

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Original poster
AlittlebitofMonica · 22/05/2024 19:26

@MrsMoastyToasty ah no I haven’t really thought about that tbh, is it worth going out of county?

@7catsisnotenough i have the impression BGS is quite pressured academically? My son is bright but very anxious, I know he puts a lot of pressure on himself anyway so had written BGS off tbh but maybe that’s unfair?

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BrumToTheRescue · 22/05/2024 19:24

According to school guide uk there are no private schools in bristol with any students with an EHCP currently.

The school guide UK is wrong. If you look at the government data you can see the actual data. The most recent is from last academic year, but not all the pupils with EHCPs have left.

7catsisnotenough · 22/05/2024 18:16

@AlittlebitofMonica

BGS has a good reputation for SN support in the private school system.
I agree that Cathedral is likely to be overwhelming as a PP said, no insight on QEH but it's a great school.

St Katherine's in Pill has also been very good historically, I don't know about any other state schools though, sorry.

Good luck with your journey, just keep going!!

MrsMoastyToasty · 22/05/2024 18:15

Have you considered looking at schools in the other local council areas?

Original poster
AlittlebitofMonica · 22/05/2024 18:14

@RMNofTikTok thank you for your advice, much appreciated :)

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Original poster
AlittlebitofMonica · 22/05/2024 18:13

@RMNofTikTok oh absolutely, I’d rather know. If we can’t realistically get an EHCP in time then that’s an argument in favour of the private schools, which I think we are leaning towards anyway. Smaller class sizes are the single biggest thing that’s going to help I think. So maybe we are better off throwing our money at private school rather than at an educational psychologist and lawyers and judicial reviews etc.

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RMNofTikTok · 22/05/2024 18:11

Sorry @AlittlebitofMonica, it's just that Bristol have very recently entered the safety valve scheme so it's even harder here now and I'd hate to give you false hope.

Original poster
AlittlebitofMonica · 21/05/2024 14:22

@RMNofTikTok god that was a depressing read. But I do appreciate knowing! And yes, moving has been suggested but I have elderly parents here so it’s trying to juggle everybody’s needs tbh.

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