Secondary school choices for high performing child with needs

[Ra1n8ow]

Hi mums -am new to this forum and wanted to know if any of you have any input to share on making the right choice of secondary school for a child who is (potentially) on the spectrum but is high performing hence needs support focussed attention. She wont be going to a SEN school but needs to be supported in a mainstream school hence I need some guidance on what to look for. All this has come to light in recent weeks and I have a few days to submit my choices thus this is rather urgent... any advice / pointers will go along way.... we are in the N21 area ... thank you in advance for your attention to this.

I have no idea where N21 is but I would look into getting your child assesed a diagnosis can only help getting her the support she needs ,does she have an EHCP ?
In your position I would look around the potential schools and speak to the SENCOs about what support the schools can offer

Thanks so much for your time and response X2boys - schools says she is not in that category where an EHCP will be granted though they recognise she might be on the spectrum. She will be seen by an EP by the end of the year but is in Yr6 hence it is all a bit late in the process. She has always had to go extra support for Maths and Eng in school and is now becoming aware of her difference / gap which is causing anxiety, low self esteem and confidence etc ... we live near a mainstream secondary school which is a big school and I know she will end up there but feel she needs a smaller setting yet no idea how to influence the authorities to get the right school.

Without an ehcp you just have to go with catchment schools /the normal admissions process. you might be able to find one which is less oversubscribed that would suit your daughter?

Other options are home educate, move or private school.

Yes unless you have an EHCP naming a school then you are probably stuck with the usual admissions procedures. You might qualify slightly higher if the school or council have a category for social or medical compelling reason but getting into that category is difficult.
And schools frequently tell parents an EHCP won't be granted. Don't take that as gospel, the criteria for assessment is that the child has, or may have, SEN.

Parents can apply for an EHCP themselves ,it doesn't mean that they will always be granted ,but there is that option ,is there an independent advisory service in your area that might be able to help you with decisions ? Information should be available on the Sen local offer in the LEA .

Thank you all v much - will pursue the assessment and through the regular admissions and see where we go with this. Tough when the school is partial and traits begin to really emerge just as she is about to transition into secondary school.

My daughter was diagnosed with autism when she was 14, unfortunately by then she was not managing school at all. We applied for EHCP and the process took months. When she was in year 6 i did feel she could have SEND so I looked for a secondary school with good SEND provision & more importantly for her good pastoral care. Looking back now I wished I’d applied for a much smaller school as she couldn’t manage the crowds, noise, size of the buildings etc. I do know N21 & I think all the secondaries are big intakes, some community schools and academies will take special circumstances into consideration.

Why not look at what the SEND departments are like in the various secondary schools locally. You might get a feel for good pastoral care ( or the opposite) and that could help your decision.

Since you have to make a decision shortly, it’s worth seeing what’s on offer and if, later, you’re able to get an EHCP, you would be able to organise an emergency review and state which school you would like, if it’s not one of the ones in catchment.

The EHCP process takes about six months or more, but you don’t want to be left without a school, unless you decide to home educate.

This is so common at transitioning age, our DD was the same and we asked about an EHCP but we’re told by the school she had no chance of getting one

First tip: Never ever take the school at their word. Take control now and apply yourself

I applied and after a brief meeting got DD her EHCP, as schools have to fund then first £6k of an EHCP they unfortunately don’t always want your child to have one

Think long and hard about the type of education your child needs and will cope with, is there a secondary with an attached autism unit in your county? this can be a half way house for kids like ours

Be prepared, this is a time when things can and do fall apart, consider a plan B. Ours was a different type of school completely but the right fit for our DD

You are the expert on your child, don’t forget that

I've heard good things about Palmers Green High School - it apparently is small and has a nurturing and cosy atmosphere that might be good for your daughter.