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SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Original poster

A London Secondary School for High Functioning Autism - help!

35 replies

Hackney23 · 04/10/2023 07:39

Hi!

We're urgently trying to find the right secondary school for our DS, for Y7 entry in 2024. He has a diagnosis of autism, is currently in mainstream primary here in Hackney, with an EHCP with a high level of 1:1 support. He's done really well these past 6 years, support is being tapered off and he is now around the expected level academically.

Going into secondary, he could probably cope without 1:1 so long as there was specialist ASD support. But, he is likely to have a rough time making friends in a big academy like Mossbourne (even though it does have more specialist ASD support), while all the specialist schools seem to be for children with a much higher level of need. His brother is at Emanuel in Clapham, which doesn't really cater for this sort of SEN.

So far, the only schools anywhere we have been able to identify as a good fit are The Holmewood School up in Finchley/Muswell Hill (or More House out in Farnham, which would mean a complete life change moving out of London, taking his brother out of school in Clapham etc.)

The difficulty with schools like Abingdon House, The Courtyard, Roehampton Gate, Storemont House is that they are really geared up for kids who need a lot more support and A-levels are not an option.

So right now, The Holmewood School seems to be the only viable option... but we can't rely on that and have to put down at least one other choice by the deadline on Friday. Eek.

Any thoughts, intel, tips etc would be very very welcome!

OP posts:
Original poster
Hackney23 · 10/10/2023 15:25

I liked Canbury - has the atmosphere of a village school, nurturing. Kids seemed happy, relaxed and working hard. It's basically a big house in the middle of Kingston suburbia, with only 90 pupils in total, almost all of whom have a diagnosis of ASD and an EHCP. Focus on wellbeing, life skills, SALT, moderately ambitious academically... but I think kids there will make a lot of progress. Probably not quite at the level of The Holmewood School, which is 3 x the cost (although everyone there is on LA funding).

OP posts:
fedupallthisrubbish · 10/10/2023 09:20

What did you think of Canbury?
thanks

usernamebore · 05/10/2023 14:34

If you can make it work practically, Portland Place hybrid has a lot of ASC kids in and can work well. Worth investigating, particularly if sensory issues re the secondary school environment will be a challenge. Having part of the week at home helps give time to regulate etc. Many kids also start with the hybrid, coming in one or two days a week, and then move up to full time in school after a few years once they have settled, so that is always an option too. It only goes up to GCSE, but send kids to a lot of good 6th forms, and by the time you get to that stage, what DS can manage may well have changed anyway.

YellowRosesWithRedTips · 05/10/2023 09:06

Be aware if you move LAs the new LA will review the EHCP and potentially amend, reassess or even cease to maintain. However unlikely you think it is, it is a possibility you need to be aware of. Obviously, you would be able to appeal, but it adds a layer of stress.

fedupallthisrubbish · 05/10/2023 08:28

Halliford boys school good with Sen

Original poster
Hackney23 · 05/10/2023 07:28

Thanks so much all for the tips and thoughts.

More House boarding would in some ways be ideal educationally, but we just can't face being apart like that.

And good point about moving for 6th form, although I suppose the consideration is really about finding the right balance now with academics/nurturing and a cohort where he'll make friends and sort of be in the middle, rather being the most/least socially able...

Going to see Canbury out in Kingston tomorrow... looks like a really nice school, 15 kids in a class, one form entry... would be a house move but at least still in London

OP posts:
YellowRosesWithRedTips · 04/10/2023 21:20

Parents either love or hate Wemms. Which the OFSTED report acknowledges - “Parents too are deeply divided in their views of the school, particularly its leadership. A broadly equal proportion of written comments expressed positive and negative opinions, with a smaller proportion expressing neutral views. Nevertheless, three quarters of parents who completed Ofsted’s online survey, Ofsted Parent View, indicated that they would recommend the school.” OFSTED reports of independent schools also has to be viewed in the context of the political situation.

Poodle22 · 04/10/2023 20:45

I’ve PM’d you as we were in a similar position.

YellowRosesWithRedTips · 04/10/2023 08:39

but we can't rely on that and have to put down at least one other choice by the deadline on Friday.

You don’t. The LA may want you to, but legally you only have to name your preferred placement.

However, if you do want to put another name down would weekly boarding at More House work?

Remember DC can move for sixth form, so the school doesn’t necessarily have to offer A levels.

If Holmewood is reachable, have a look at Orange Tree School. The Rise in Feltham offer GCSEs and some of their pupils go on to A levels, it is probably too far, but depending on where you live that might be just about within travelling distance. There is Wemms - parents either love it or hate it. Again, probably too far, but depending on where you live that might be just about within travelling distance.