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

Original poster

Does anybody have experience of Farleigh Further Education College in Frome (for Aspergers)?

35 replies

countingto10 · 08/11/2008 12:15

We are going to an admissions day in December as DS1 is leaving school next year. It is run by the Priory Group. I just wondered if anybody knows it or has a child who attended.

Thanks.

OP posts:
Candlewax · 08/12/2008 22:41

I hope he gets offered a place countingto10

Original poster
countingto10 · 06/12/2008 21:31

Had his admissions day yesterday - it went very well and we were very impressed. They are given a one to one helper/assistant that go into the mainstream college with to help and then go back to the residence for independent living skills etc. They come home every other week. They can be at the college for up to 3 years and they are not expected to return to living at home when they have finished!!!!

Like your son flyingmum, my son wants to do animal management/countryside course and Wiltshire college have excellent courses and they are in partnership with Farleigh. If my son gets offered a place (and we get funding), he is likely to be based in Frome. He really enjoyed the day and really liked it there so we are keeping everything crossed .

They are extremely knowledgeable about Aspergers and very enthusiastic about what they do there.

OP posts:
flyingmum · 04/12/2008 19:43

I'm watching this with interest Counting. My chap is in year 9 but wants to do horticulture and countryside management type things. His school at present don't have a 6th form (but it may happen but then again . . .) and they do day release at college. Although he doesn't board at the mo I would like him to once he gets post 16 as I think it would be good for all of us!

Original poster
countingto10 · 24/11/2008 20:39

Thanks BFB. I know funding might be a problem - Connexions recommended Farleigh as did DS1's school. He has been in "out of county" education throughout his school life.
Not sure what we are going to do if Farleigh don't want him. He wants to do animals/horticulture rather than academic based college work. The nearest agricultural college to us is 2 trains journeys and a bus ride away (it is not the LSC problem/remit to get SN students to college). I have checked with Farleigh and they do do animals/horticulture so I am keeping my fingers crossed .

OP posts:
bigfatbump · 18/11/2008 13:22

Farleigh FE is great (I have the opportunity to visit lots of SEN schools through work). They offer as much or as little support as needed, and students can start with full support which includes living in a house and havng all food cooked for you, to a hall of residence style arrangement where students budget for, buy and cook their own food. The students go to local collge with a support 'base' on campus which they can use as much or as little as they need. Staff from Farleigh man the base and support in lessons.

Grately is meant to be good too although I don't know it personally. The main difference is that Grately is registered as a school, so LA funded, whereas farleigh FE is LSC funded (and can be hard to get funding agreed iirc).

Original poster
countingto10 · 12/11/2008 17:38

Thanks for that Candlewax. I will make some enquiries about Grateley.My DS has been attending college one day a week with his current school and really enjoys it.

OP posts:
Candlewax · 12/11/2008 02:13

Hi, I have visited Farleigh School and found it to be quite lovely. I have not actually visited the college as my ds is not yet 16. There is another post-16 place you could enquire about run by the Cambrian Group - Grateley House School - as they have a post-16 place there and that is really good by all accounts.

I do know that from year 9 Grateley start to introduce the children to college, one morning a week building up to a day, then two days etc. The children seem very happy with this arrangement.

I have visited Grateley so I can say also that it is a very pleasant environment for a child to be in.

Original poster
countingto10 · 08/11/2008 13:43

It's good to hear positive things. We don't have too many options for DS1 (it was the only one recommended to us for him) so lets hope they want him and we get funding .

Many thanks for the quick replys.

OP posts:
twoluvlykids · 08/11/2008 12:22

work colleagues of mine have visited it and raved about it - completely fantastic, apparently.

Marne · 08/11/2008 12:20

Sorry no real experience but have heard good things about it, it might be worth asking on the sn board.